Climbing exercise machine

ABSTRACT

An exercise machine creates a simulated continuous resisted climbing motion. The machine includes a floor- or ground-contacting base frame and two or more substantially vertically oriented uprights, wherein at least one upright is rigidly connected to the base frame. The machine further includes two handles and two foot pedals, each handle and each foot pedal being movably engaged with an upright for linear reciprocating motion along the upright. The handles and foot pedals are interconnected so that they move concurrently. An adjustable resistance mechanism may be operatively connected to the interconnection of the handles and foot pedals to provide adjustable resistance for the simulated continuous climbing motion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/225,706, filed 8 Apr. 2021, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 17/118,355, filed 10 Dec. 2020, now U.S.Pat. No. 11,077,336, which is a continuation-in-part of PCT ApplicationPCT/US2020/036434, filed 5 Jun. 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application 62/858,966, filed 7 Jun. 2019, theentireties of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application pertains generally to exercise machines, andspecifically to climbing exercise machines that simulate a continuousvertical climbing motion for the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many persons in different levels of physical condition and types ofathletic ability desire to improve their overall physical fitness andcardiovascular capability. Prior exercise devices provide a wide rangeof motions and activities for increasing physical fitness. For example,known exercise devices may strengthen and condition individual musclesor various muscle groups of the user. Prior exercise devices may alsoexercise the entire body simultaneously to increase the overall physicalfitness of the user.

Prior exercise devices frequently simulate different motions such aswalking, running, and climbing. Climbing is particularly advantageousbecause it exercises the upper and lower body simultaneously, and itefficiently and effectively exercises all the major muscle groups of thebody. Prior climbing devices emulate a climbing motion by havingmoveable handles and foot pedals which move in a generally predeterminedpattern or range of motion.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,515 to Charnitski, the entirety of which isincorporated herein by reference, is generally representative of thestate of the art of climbing exercise machines, which has notsignificantly advanced in many years and suffers from several drawbacks.Specifically, prior climbing exercise machines generally comprise alarge and unstable base, which significantly increases the machine'sweight, decreases its movability, and presents the risk of injury to theuser or surrounding people and property should the instability of thebase cause the machine to rock or tip. These problems are compounded bythe provision in these machines of a single central track,interconnecting both handles and both foot pedals along a single axis,which further impedes the stability, movability, and safety of themachine and is generally aesthetically displeasing. Moreover, priorclimbing exercise machines generally include at least one slide and/orbelt that may fail or require frequent lubrication, and which typicallyshorten the useful life of the machine.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,818 to Haber, the entirety of which is incorporatedherein by reference, represents a climbing exercise machine with twouprights such that each upright houses a handle and a foot pedal. Thisis an improvement that increases the stability and opens the centralviewing area for the user. However, the shortcomings of this designinclude that the handle and foot pedal engaged with each upright aremounted on a singular carriage such that the left-side handle cannotmove independently from the left-side foot pedal, and likewise for theright-side handle and foot pedal. This eliminates the ability of theuser to use a natural-gait climbing motion, wherein a user's left footand left hand move in opposite directions and the user's right foot andright hand likewise move in opposite directions. This design also uses aperimetrical linkage connection, wherein the left-side handle and footpedal carriage and the right-side handle and foot pedal carriage areconnected across the upper end and the lower end of the frame byreciprocating linear motion cables and pulleys. This type ofinterconnection of the handles and foot pedals requires the usage of alinear motion resistance mechanism, such as the piston-driven hydraulicresistance system claimed by Haber. This type of resistance mechanismhas multiple shortcomings, including a “jerky” feel associated with thereversing motion of the piston and fluid. Hydraulic systems are alsoprone to leaks that can create a messy and hazardous situation in auser's home or fitness facility. The needle valves required to adjusthydraulic valves can also be very difficult to calibrate to createconsistent resistance settings.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,880 to Allen, the entirety of which is incorporatedherein by reference, presents a climbing exercise machine with twouprights such that each upright houses a handle and a foot pedal. Thisdesign also has a perimetrical linkage connection, wherein the left andright handle and foot pedal carriages are connected across the upper endof the uprights with a cable and pulleys and the lower end has ahydraulic fluid connection, which regulates the stroke length requiredto allow the user to move the handles and foot pedals in the oppositereciprocating direction and creates the resistance to the exercisemotion. This hydraulic resistance system has many of the sameshortcomings as the Haber design, but with the addition of manycomponents that add substantial manufacturing cost and complexity to thedesign.

There is thus a need in the art for climbing exercise machines withimproved stability, movability, safety, and aesthetics. It is furtheradvantageous for such improved climbing exercise machines to reduce theneed for maintenance of the machine or any of its components, and toextend the useful life of the machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a climbing exercise machinecomprises a frame, comprising two uprights disposed on opposing lateralsides of the climbing exercise machine, a base interconnected to atleast one upright, and a crossbar interconnecting the uprights above thebase; two handles; two foot pedals; four reciprocating, self-lubricatingslides; two linear rails; at least two belts; and an axle, housed withinthe crossbar, wherein each handle and each foot pedal is mounted to aseparate one of the reciprocating, self-lubricating slides, wherein eachupright houses an assembly comprising one reciprocating,self-lubricating slide to which a handle is mounted, one reciprocating,self-lubricating slide to which a foot pedal is mounted, one linearrail, and at least one belt, wherein the reciprocating, self-lubricatingslides of each assembly are mounted on the linear rail of the assemblyand interconnected by the at least one belt of the assembly, wherein thebelts of both assemblies are interconnected by the axle, and wherein,due to the interconnections of the reciprocating, self-lubricatingslides by the belts and of the belts by the axle, travel of anyreciprocating, self-lubricating slide along the rail to which it ismounted results in movement in a same direction or an opposing directionof each of the three other reciprocating, self-lubricating slides alongthe rails to which they are respectively mounted, thereby simulating acontinuous vertical climbing motion for a user.

In embodiments, the climbing exercise machine may further comprise anelectronic device or system enabling a user to perceive digital contentwhile using the climbing exercise machine. The electronic device orsystem may, but need not, comprise a networked tablet computer mountedon a mounting apparatus associated with the frame.

In embodiments, the at least two belts may consist of four belts.

In embodiments, the climbing exercise machine may further comprise abraking feature configured to increases resistance encountered by theuser during exercise. The braking feature may, but need not, comprise atleast one selected from the group consisting of a hydraulic pump, amagnetic or electromagnetic device configured to retard rotation of theaxle, and a friction brake. The climbing exercise machine may, but neednot, further comprise a user input device operable to allow the user toselectively adjust a magnitude of a braking effect imparted by thebraking feature.

In embodiments, the climbing exercise machine may further comprise asensor or device configured to measure at least one parameter associatedwith a use of the machine that corresponds to a parameter of interest tothe user. The parameter of interest to the user may, but need not, beselected from the group consisting of a length of the use, an effectivedistance climbed during the use, and a quantity of energy expendedduring the use. The parameter associated with a use of the machine may,but need not, be selected from the group consisting of a time of theuse, a total distance traveled by one or more of the slides during theuse, a number of rotations of the axle during the use, and/or a quantityof work done on the axle during the use.

In another aspect of the present invention, a climbing exercise machinecomprises a base support frame configured to contact a floor or groundsurface; a first elongate upright, rigidly connected to the base supportframe at an obtuse angle relative to the floor or ground surface; asecond elongate upright, horizontally spaced apart from and parallel tothe first upright and rigidly connected to the base support frame at anobtuse angle relative to the floor or ground surface; a first movablehandle and a first movable foot pedal, vertically spaced apart from eachother and each being slidably engaged with the first upright to enablereciprocating linear movement along the first upright; a second movablehandle and a second movable foot pedal, vertically spaced apart fromeach other and each being slidably engaged with the second upright toenable reciprocating linear movement along the second upright; anadjustable resistance mechanism, mounted on a stationary portion of themachine; and a linkage assembly, interconnecting and synchronizing thefirst movable handle, the first movable foot pedal, the second movablehandle, the second movable foot pedal, and the adjustable resistancemechanism, wherein the interconnection and synchronization provided bythe linkage assembly enables reciprocating concurrent movement of thefirst handle, the first foot pedal, the second handle, the second footpedal, and the adjustable resistance mechanism to simulate a resistedcontinuous climbing motion for a user.

In embodiments, the linkage assembly may comprise multiple flexiblecomponents, each guided by pulleys.

In embodiments, the linkage assembly may comprise multiple gear racks,multiple drive gears, and at least one flexible component guided bypulleys.

In embodiments, movement of one handle or foot pedal may causeconcurrent motion of all other handles and foot pedals. The concurrentmotion of the handles and foot pedals may, but need not, simulate acontralateral climbing motion. The concurrent motion of the handles andfoot pedals may, but need not, simulate an ipsilateral climbing motion.

In embodiments, the locations of the first handle and the first footpedal relative to each other may be adjustable prior to operation of themachine and the locations of the second handle and the second foot pedalrelative to each other may be adjustable prior to operation of themachine. In embodiments, at least one foot pedal may be reconfigurablebetween a secured configuration and an unsecured configuration, whereinin the secured configuration an angle of a foot pedal relative to acorresponding foot pedal support axle is fixed and in the unsecuredconfiguration the foot pedal may articulate about the corresponding footpedal support axle.

In embodiments, the climbing exercise machine may further comprise anelectronic device or system enabling a user to perceive digital contentwhile using the climbing exercise machine. The electronic device orsystem may, but need not, comprise a tablet computer mounted on amounting apparatus of the climbing exercise machine. The electronicdevice or system may, but need not, further comprise at least onesensor, disposed within or on a surface of the climbing exercise machineand configured to transmit data pertaining to the function of theclimbing exercise machine to the tablet computer. The mounting apparatusmay, but need not, be adjustable such that a user can adjust at leastone of an angle of the tablet computer relative to the uprights and aheight of the tablet computer above the floor or ground surface. Thetablet computer may, but need not, be configured to allow a user toinput data corresponding to the user's workout preferences and displayto the user data corresponding to the user's exercise performance andexperience.

In another aspect of the present invention, a climbing exercise machinecomprises a base support frame configured to contact a floor or groundsurface; a first elongate upright having a first end and second end,wherein the first end is rigidly connected to the base support frame atan obtuse angle relative to the floor or ground surface; an elongate orV-shaped crossbar having a first end and a second end, wherein a centralportion of the crossbar is rigidly connected to the second end of thefirst upright to form a T or Y shape; a second elongate upright having afirst end and a second end, wherein the first end is rigidly connectedto the first end of the crossbar such that the first upright and thesecond upright are in substantially parallel planes on opposing verticalsides of the crossbar; a third elongate upright having a first end and asecond end, wherein the first end is rigidly connected to the second endof the crossbar such that the first upright and the third upright are insubstantially parallel planes on opposing vertical sides of thecrossbar; first and second movable foot pedals, operatively engaged withopposing lateral sides of the first upright to enable reciprocatinglinear movement along the first upright; a first movable handle,operatively engaged with the second upright to enable reciprocatinglinear movement along the second upright; a second movable handle,operatively engaged with the third upright to enable reciprocatinglinear movement along the third upright; an adjustable resistancemechanism, mounted on a stationary portion of the machine; and a linkageassembly, interconnecting and synchronizing the first movable handle,the first movable foot pedal, the second movable handle, the secondmovable foot pedal, and the adjustable resistance mechanism, wherein theinterconnection and synchronization provided by the linkage assemblyenables reciprocating concurrent movement of the first handle, the firstfoot pedal, the second handle, the second foot pedal, and the adjustableresistance mechanism to simulate a resisted continuous climbing motionfor a user.

In embodiments, the linkage assembly may comprise multiple flexiblecomponents, each guided by pulleys.

In embodiments, the linkage assembly may comprise multiple gear racks,multiple drive gears, and at least one flexible component guided bypulleys.

In embodiments, movement of one handle or foot pedal may causeconcurrent motion of all other handles and foot pedals. The concurrentmotion of the handles and foot pedals may, but need not, simulate acontralateral climbing motion. The concurrent motion of the handles andfoot pedals may, but need not, simulate an ipsilateral climbing motion.

In embodiments, the locations of the first handle and the first footpedal relative to each other may be adjustable prior to operation of themachine and the locations of the second handle and the second foot pedalrelative to each other may be adjustable prior to operation of themachine.

In embodiments, at least one foot pedal may be reconfigurable between asecured configuration and an unsecured configuration, wherein in thesecured configuration an angle of a foot pedal relative to acorresponding foot pedal support axle is fixed and in the unsecuredconfiguration the foot pedal may articulate about the corresponding footpedal support axle.

In embodiments, the climbing exercise machine may further comprise anelectronic device or system enabling a user to perceive digital contentwhile using the climbing exercise machine. The electronic device orsystem may, but need not, comprise a tablet computer mounted on amounting apparatus of the climbing exercise machine. The electronicdevice or system may, but need not, further comprise at least onesensor, disposed within or on a surface of the climbing exercise machineand configured to transmit data pertaining to the function of theclimbing exercise machine to the tablet computer. The mounting apparatusmay, but need not, be adjustable such that a user can adjust at leastone of an angle of the tablet computer relative to the uprights and aheight of the tablet computer above the floor or ground surface. Thetablet computer may, but need not, be configured to allow a user toinput data corresponding to the user's workout preferences and displayto the user data corresponding to the user's exercise performance andexperience.

In another aspect of the present invention, a system for deliveringdigital content to a user comprises a climbing exercise machine asdescribed herein; and a remote server, connected to the tablet computerof the climbing exercise machine via a network.

In embodiments, the digital content may comprise a climbing class orinstructional video.

In embodiments, the digital content may comprise at least one type ofentertainment content selected from the group consisting of televisioncontent, movie content, and music.

In embodiments, the network may be selected from the group consisting ofan Ethernet network, a Token-Ring network, a wide-area network, avirtual network, the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, a PublicSwitched Telephone Network (PSTN), and an infrared network.

In embodiments, the network may be a wireless network.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for deliveringdigital content to a remote user comprises providing a climbing exercisemachine as described herein; and transmitting, via a network to whichthe tablet computer is connected, the digital content from a remoteserver to the tablet computer.

In embodiments, the digital content may comprise a live or archivedclimbing class or instructional video.

In embodiments, the digital content may comprise both video content andaudio content and may be streamed to the tablet computer substantiallyin real time.

In embodiments, the digital content may comprise both video content andaudio and may be archived content provided from a database.

In embodiments, the method may further comprise displaying at least aportion of the digital content on a display screen of the tabletcomputer.

In another aspect of the present invention, a climbing exercise machinecomprises a base support frame, configured to contact a floor or groundsurface; a first upright, wherein a first end of the first upright isrigidly connected to the base support frame at an angle of between about45° and about 90° relative to the floor or ground surface; a secondupright, laterally spaced apart from and parallel to the first upright,wherein a first end of the second upright is rigidly connected to thebase support frame at an angle of between about 45° and about 90°relative to the floor or ground surface; a first handle mounted on afirst linear motion carriage; a first foot pedal mounted on a secondlinear motion carriage; a second handle mounted on a third linear motioncarriage; a second foot pedal mounted on a fourth linear motioncarriage; a cross connector housing, wherein a first end of the crossconnector housing is rigidly connected to the first upright at a middle,central, or intermediate portion of the first upright and a second endof the cross connector housing is rigidly connected to the secondupright at a middle, central, or intermediate portion of the secondupright; a cross connector drive axle, mounted on or within the crossconnector housing; a first linkage assembly located on or within thefirst upright, interconnecting the first handle, the first foot pedal,and the first end of the cross connector drive axle; and a secondlinkage assembly located on or within the second upright,interconnecting the second handle, the second foot pedal, and the secondend of the cross connector drive axle, wherein the first and secondlinear motion carriages are vertically spaced apart from each other andslidably engaged with the first upright to enable reciprocating linearmovement of the first linear motion carriage, the first handle, thesecond linear motion carriage, and the first foot pedal along the firstupright, wherein the third and fourth linear motion carriages arevertically spaced apart from each other and slidably engaged with thesecond upright to enable reciprocating linear movement of the thirdlinear motion carriage, the second handle, the fourth linear motioncarriage, and the second foot pedal along the second upright, andwherein the interconnection provided by the first linkage assembly, thesecond linkage assembly, and the cross connector drive axle synchronizesa reciprocating concurrent motion of the first handle, the first footpedal, the second handle, and the second foot pedal to simulate acontinuous climbing exercise motion for a user.

In embodiments, the first linkage assembly may comprise a firstcontinuous-loop flexible component, a first drive pulley, a first guidepulley, and a first connector bar and the second linkage assembly maycomprise a second continuous-loop flexible component, a second drivepulley, a second guide pulley, and a second connector bar. A first endof the cross connector drive axle may, but need not, be rigidlyconnected to the first drive pulley and a second end of the crossconnector drive axle may, but need not, be rigidly connected to thesecond drive pulley. The first handle may, but need not, be operativelyconnected to the first drive pulley by the first continuous-loopflexible component and the first guide pulley and the second handle may,but need not, be operatively connected to the second drive pulley by thesecond continuous-loop flexible component and the second guide pulley. Afirst end of the first connector bar may, but need not, be rigidlyconnected to the second linear motion carriage, a second end of thefirst connector bar may, but need not, be rigidly connected to the firstcontinuous-loop flexible component, a first end of the second connectorbar may, but need not, be rigidly connected to the fourth linear motioncarriage, and a second end of the second connector bar may, but neednot, be rigidly connected to the second continuous-loop flexiblecomponent.

In embodiments, the climbing exercise machine may further comprise anadjustable resistance mechanism, operatively connected to the crossconnector drive axle to provide adjustable resistance to the motion ofthe first handle, the first foot pedal, the second handle, and thesecond foot pedal. Movement of any handle or foot pedal may, but neednot, cause concurrent motion of all other handles and foot pedals andthe adjustable resistance mechanism. The adjustable resistance mechanismmay, but need not, comprise at least one flywheel and at least oneadjustable resistance component, and the at least one flywheel and theat least one adjustable resistance component may, but need not, beoperatively engaged such that the at least one adjustable resistancecomponent creates an adjustable resistance to the rotation of the atleast one flywheel.

In embodiments, as a result of the interconnection provided by the firstlinkage assembly, the second linkage assembly, and the cross connectordrive axle, the first handle and the first foot pedal may move inopposite directions, the second handle and the second foot pedal maymove in opposite directions, the first handle and the second handle maymove in opposite directions, and the first foot pedal and the secondfoot pedal may move in opposite directions.

In embodiments, the climbing exercise machine may further comprise afirst foot pedal support axle rigidly mounted on the second linearmotion carriage and a second foot pedal support axle rigidly mounted onthe fourth linear motion carriage, wherein the first foot pedal ispivotally mounted on the first foot pedal support axle and the secondfoot pedal is pivotally mounted on the second foot pedal support axle.

In embodiments, the first handle may be adjustably mounted on the firstlinear motion carriage and the second handle may be adjustably mountedon the third linear motion carriage.

In embodiments, at least one of the following may be linearlyadjustable: (i) a location of a connection point between the firsthandle and the first linear motion carriage; (ii) a location of aconnection point between the first foot pedal and the first foot pedalsupport axle; (iii) a location of a connection point between the secondhandle and the third linear motion carriage; and (iv) a location of aconnection point between the second foot pedal and the second foot pedalsupport axle.

In embodiments, at least one of an angular position of the first handlerelative to the first upright and an angular position of the secondhandle relative to the second upright may be adjustable.

In embodiments, the climbing exercise machine may further comprise anelectronic user interface display console, configured to cooperate withthe function of the climbing exercise machine and mounted on astationary component of the climbing exercise machine.

In embodiments, the climbing exercise machine may further comprise atleast one stationary handle mounted on a stationary component of theclimbing exercise machine.

These and other advantages will be apparent from the disclosure of theaspects, embodiments, and configurations contained herein.

For purposes of further disclosure and to comply with applicable writtendescription and enablement requirements, the following referencesgenerally relate to exercise machines and are hereby incorporated byreference in their entireties:

U.S. Patent Application Publication 2018/0339189, entitled “Exercisemachine,” published 29 Nov. 2018 to Luger et al.

U.S. Patent Application Publication 2019/0134456, entitled “Rockclimbing machine,” published 9 May 2019 to Yeh.

U.S. Patent Application Publication 2020/0094106, entitled “Climbingmachine,” published 26 Mar. 2020 to Liu.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,751,562, entitled “Climbing machine,” issued 25 Aug.2020 to Chen. U.S. Patent Application Publication 2021/0098126, entitled“Interactive athletic equipment system,” published 1 Apr. 2021 to Tchaoet al.

As used herein, “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or” areopen-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive inoperation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, Band C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “oneor more of A, B, or C,” “A, B, and/or C,” and “A, B, or C” means Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, or A, B and C together. When each one of A, B, and C in theabove expressions refers to an element, such as X, Y, and Z, or class ofelements, such as X₁-X_(n), Y₁-Y_(m), and Z₁-Z_(o), the phrase isintended to refer to a single element selected from X, Y, and Z, acombination of elements selected from the same class (e.g., X₁ and X₂)as well as a combination of elements selected from two or more classes(e.g., Y₁ and Z_(o)).

It is to be noted that the term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or moreof that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “atleast one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be notedthat the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” can be usedinterchangeably.

The term “means” as used herein shall be given its broadest possibleinterpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C., Section 112(f) and/orSection 112, Paragraph 6. Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term“means” shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein,and all of the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materialsor acts and the equivalents thereof shall include all those described inthe summary of the disclosure, brief description of the drawings,detailed description, abstract, and claims themselves.

It should be understood that every maximum numerical limitation giventhroughout this disclosure is deemed to include each and every lowernumerical limitation as an alternative, as if such lower numericallimitations were expressly written herein. Every minimum numericallimitation given throughout this disclosure is deemed to include eachand every higher numerical limitation as an alternative, as if suchhigher numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Everynumerical range given throughout this disclosure is deemed to includeeach and every narrower numerical range that falls within such broadernumerical range, as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expresslywritten herein. By way of example, the phrase from about 2 to about 4includes the whole number and/or integer ranges from about 2 to about 3,from about 3 to about 4 and each possible range based on real (e.g.,irrational and/or rational) numbers, such as from about 2.1 to about4.9, from about 2.1 to about 3.4, and so on.

The preceding is a simplified summary of the disclosure to provide anunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is neitheran extensive nor exhaustive overview of the disclosure and its variousaspects, embodiments, and configurations. It is intended neither toidentify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor to delineate thescope of the disclosure but to present selected concepts of thedisclosure in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detaileddescription presented below. As will be appreciated, other aspects,embodiments, and configurations of the disclosure are possibleutilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features setforth above or described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and form a part of thespecification to illustrate several examples of the present disclosure.These drawings, together with the description, explain the principles ofthe disclosure. The drawings simply illustrate preferred and alternativeexamples of how the disclosure can be made and used and are not to beconstrued as limiting the disclosure to only the illustrated anddescribed examples. Further features and advantages will become apparentfrom the following, more detailed, description of the various aspects,embodiments, and configurations of the disclosure, as illustrated by thedrawings referenced below.

FIG. 1 illustrates various embodiments of a frame (uprights, crossbar,and base) of a climbing exercise machine, according to embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an interior of an upright of aclimbing exercise machine, according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate a handle of a climbing exercise machinecomprising a void space, according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 3D, 3E, and 3F illustrate a generally U-shaped handle of aclimbing exercise machine, according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 3G, 3H, 3I, and 3J illustrate an ergonomic handle of a climbingexercise machine, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate foot pedals of a climbing exercisemachine, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of connection mechanisms associated with acrossbar and a base of a climbing exercise machine, according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective cutaway view of an upright of a climbingexercise machine, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of coordinated movements of handles and footpedals of a climbing exercise machine, according to embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are illustrations of different embodiments ofuprights of a climbing exercise machine, according to embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, and 9E illustrate further various embodiments of aframe of a climbing exercise machine, according to embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate adjustment and safety mechanisms that maybe provided as part of a climbing exercise machine, according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of a climbing exercise machine,according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates various internal components of a climbing exercisemachine, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating elements of an exemplarycomputing environment in which embodiments of the present disclosure maybe implemented.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating elements of an exemplarycomputing device in which embodiments of the present disclosure may beimplemented.

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of a climbing exercise machine,according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a front view of a climbing exercise machine, according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a rear perspective closeup view of the lower section of aclimbing exercise machine, according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 18 is a closeup view of a resistance motor, according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 19A is a closeup view of a pedal assembly and pedal latch, with thelatch engaged, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 19B is a closeup view of a pedal assembly and pedal latch with thelatch disengaged, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 20A is a rear perspective center section view of a climbingexercise machine with a computer tablet facing forward, according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 20B is a rear perspective center section view of a climbingexercise machine with a computer tablet facing rearward, according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a front perspective center section view of a climbingexercise machine, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a rear perspective view of a user operating a climbingexercise machine, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is an elevated rear perspective view of a climbing exercisemachine, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of a climbing exercise machine,according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a center section side perspective view of a climbing exercisemachine, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a center section side perspective view of a climbing exercisemachine, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a center section rear perspective view of a climbing exercisemachine, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a side view of a user operating a climbing exercise machine,according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a front view of a climbing exercise machine, according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a front perspective view of a climbing exercise machine,according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a front center section closeup view of a climbing exercisemachine, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a rear upper section view of a climbing exercise machine,according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a rear perspective view of a climbing exercise machine,according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a rear closeup view of a lower section of a climbing exercisemachine, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a rear perspective closeup view of a center section of aclimbing exercise machine, according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 36 is a front perspective view of a user operating a climbingexercise machine, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 37 illustrates a front perspective view of a climbing exercisemachine, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 38 illustrates a top isolated cross section view of an upright anda linear motion carriage that is housed within the upright, according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 39 illustrates a perspective view of a linear motion carriage,according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 40 illustrates a front perspective view of a climbing exercisemachine and some of the components of the machine are removed to betterillustrate other components of the machine, according to embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 41 illustrates a rear perspective view of a climbing exercisemachine and some of the components of the machine are removed to betterillustrate other components of the machine, according to embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 42 illustrates a front perspective isolated view of a crossconnector axle and the connection of the cross connector axle to a drivepulley, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 43 illustrates a front perspective isolated view of a crossconnector axle operatively connected with a resistance assembly,according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 44 illustrates a rear perspective isolated view of a crossconnector axle operatively connected with a resistance assembly,according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 45 illustrates a front perspective isolated view of a first pedalassembly operatively connected with a linear motion carriage and asecond foot pedal assembly operatively connected with a linear motioncarriage, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 46A illustrates a rear perspective isolated view of a handleassembly operatively connected with a linear motion carriage and thehandle is in a first linear adjustment position, according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 46B illustrates a front perspective isolated view of a handleassembly operatively connected with a linear motion carriage and thehandle is in a second linear adjustment position, according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 47 illustrates a rear perspective view of a handle assemblyoperatively connected with a linear motion carriage, according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 48A is a front isolated view of a handle assembly and the handle islatched in a horizontal angle position and a handle slide plate latchinglever is in the latched position, according to embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 48B is a front isolated view of a handle assembly and the handle islatched in a vertical angle position and a handle slide plate latchinglever is in the unlatched position, according to embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 49A illustrates a rear perspective view of a climbing exercisemachine with a user mounted on the machine in a first exercise position,according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 49B illustrates a rear perspective view of a climbing exercisemachine with a user mounted on the machine in a second exerciseposition, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 49C illustrates a rear perspective view of a climbing exercisemachine with a user mounted on the machine in a third exercise position,according to embodiments of the present invention.

In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have thesame reference label. Further, various components of the same type maybe distinguished by following the reference label by a letter thatdistinguishes among the similar components. If only the first referencelabel is used in the specification, the description is applicable to anyone of the similar components having the same first reference labelirrespective of the second reference label. The reference labels andtheir corresponding components are as follows:

Reference label Element U User  1 Climbing machine  9 Lower uprightbrace tube  10 Frame  11 Upright  11c Unitary upright  12 Crossbar  13Base  14 Rail  15 Belt connector  16 Axle  17 Belt  18 Handle  18a Lefthandle  18b Right handle  19 Handle adjustment plate  20 Slide component 21 Foot pedal  21a Left foot pedal  21b Right foot pedal  23 Flatinward-facing surface  24 Button  25 Adjustable strap  26 Foot pad  27Rod  28 Nut  29 Slot  30 Aperture(s)  31 Connection mechanism  32Screw(s)  33 Central bore  34 Center structural core  35 Bracket  36Pulley  37 Base member(s)  38 Base feet  39 Adjustable arm  40 Tabletcomputer  41 Adjustable handle  42 Mounting bracket  43 Crank  44Footing(s)  45 Sprocket  46 Belt tensioner  47 Resistance motor  50 Footpedal latch  51 Foot pedal latch pin  52 Foot pedal latch receiver  53Movable electronic sensor  54 Stationary electronic sensor  55 Handleadjustment latching pin receiver  56 Tablet pivot rod  57 Adjustable armsecuring knob  58 Adjustable arm movement lever  59 Resistanceadjustment dial  60a Left foot pedal gear rack assembly  60b Right footpedal gear rack assembly  61a Left handle gear rack assembly  61b Righthandle gear rack assembly  62 Gear rack guide wheel  63a Left gear rackdrive gear  63b Right gear rack drive gear  64 Resistance motor axle  65Resistance motor axle pulley  70a First drive axle  70b Second driveaxle  70c Third drive axle  71 Drive axle mounting bearing  72a Firstdrive axle drive gear  72b Second drive axle drive gear  72c Third driveaxle drive gear  73 Drive chain  74 Second drive axle drive chainsprocket  75 Third drive axle drive chain sprocket  76 Resistance motordrive chain sprocket  77 Handle adjustment latching pin  78 Foot pedalsupport axle 100 Computing environment 104 Computing device 108Computing device 110 Network 112 Computing device 114 Server 116 Server118 Database 200 Computer system 204 Bus 208 Central processing unit 212Input device 216 Output device 220 Storage device 224 Storage mediareader 228 Communications system 232 Processing acceleration unit 236Working memory 240 Operating system 244 Other code 300 Climbing machine305A First stationary handle 305B Second stationary handle 308 Handleassembly 309 Interior wall 310A First upright 310B Second upright 311Foot pedal assembly 312 Cross connector housing 313 Base frame 315AFirst belt connector bracket 315B Second belt connector bracket 316AFirst connector bar connector bracket 316B Second connector barconnector bracket 316C Third connector bar connector bracket 316D Fourthconnector bar connector bracket 317A First linkage belt 317B Secondlinkage belt 318A First handle 318B Second handle 319 Handle slide plate320A First linear motion carriage 320B Second linear motion carriage320C Third linear motion carriage 320D Fourth linear motion carriage321a First foot pedal 321b Second foot pedal 322 Linear motion carriagewheels 325 Adjustable foot pedal strap 326 Handle slide plate latchinglever 327 Handle slide plate latching lever axle 328 Handle slide platelatching pin 329 Handle slide plate latching pin receiver holes 330Handle slide plate receiver slot 331 Handle pivot adjustment latchingbutton 332 Handle pivot axle 333 Handle pivot latching pin 334 Handlepivot latching pin receiver hole 335A First guide pulley mountingbracket 335B Second guide pulley mounting bracket 336A First guidepulley 336B Second guide pulley 337A First cross connector axle drivepulley 337B Second cross connector axle drive pulley 340 Electronic userinterface display 341 Electronic user interface display support tube 342Electronic user interface display mounting bracket 343 Flywheelresistance assembly support frame 345 Resistance magnets housing 346Resistance magnet 347 Flywheel 348 Resistance magnets housing pivot axle349 Flywheel resistance assembly 350A First linkage assembly 350B Secondlinkage assembly 359 Resistance adjustment dial 360a First connector bar360b Second connector bar 364 Flywheel axle 365 Flywheel axle pulley 368Brace tube 369 Mounting block 370 Cross connector axle 371 Crossconnecting axle bearing 372A First flywheel drive pulley 372B Secondflywheel drive pulley 372C Third flywheel drive pulley 373A Firstflywheel drive belt 373B Second flywheel drive belt 374 Flywheel drivepulley axle 378A First foot pedal support axle 378B Second foot pedalsupport axle 379A First foot pedal support axle connector bracket 379BSecond foot pedal support axle connector bracket

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding ofvarious embodiments disclosed herein. It will be apparent, however, toone skilled in the art that various embodiments of the presentdisclosure may be practiced without some of these specific details. Theensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only and is notintended to limit the scope or applicability of the disclosure.Furthermore, to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure,the preceding description omits several known structures and devices.This omission is not to be construed as a limitation of the scopes ofthe claims. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodimentswill provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description forimplementing an exemplary embodiment. It should however be appreciatedthat the present disclosure may be practiced in a variety of ways beyondthe specific detail set forth herein.

While the exemplary aspects, embodiments, and/or configurationsillustrated herein show the various components of the system collocated,certain components of the system can be located remotely, at distantportions of a distributed network, such as a LAN and/or the Internet, orwithin a dedicated system. Thus, it should be appreciated, that thecomponents of the system can be combined in to one or more devices orcollocated on a particular node of a distributed network, such as ananalog and/or digital telecommunications network, a packet-switchnetwork, or a circuit-switched network. It will be appreciated from thefollowing description, and for reasons of computational efficiency, thatthe components of the system can be arranged at any location within adistributed network of components without affecting the operation of thesystem.

Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the various links connectingthe elements can be wired or wireless links, or any combination thereof,or any other known or later developed element(s) that is capable ofsupplying and/or communicating data to and from the connected elements.These wired or wireless links can also be secure links and may becapable of communicating encrypted information. Transmission media usedas links, for example, can be any suitable carrier for electricalsignals, including coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, and maytake the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated duringradio-wave and infra-red data communications.

As used herein, the phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” “or,” and“and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive anddisjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at leastone of A, B and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B,and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” “A, B, and/or C,” and “A, B, or C”means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, Band C together, or A, B and C together.

The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. Assuch, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can beused interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms“comprising,” “including,” and “having” can be used interchangeably.

The term “automatic” and variations thereof, as used herein, refers toany process or operation done without material human input when theprocess or operation is performed. However, a process or operation canbe automatic, even though performance of the process or operation usesmaterial or immaterial human input, if the input is received beforeperformance of the process or operation. Human input is deemed to bematerial if such input influences how the process or operation will beperformed. Human input that consents to the performance of the processor operation is not deemed to be “material.”

The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to anytangible storage and/or transmission medium that participate inproviding instructions to a processor for execution. Such a medium maytake many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media,volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, forexample, NVRAM, or magnetic or optical disks. Volatile media includesdynamic memory, such as main memory. Common forms of computer-readablemedia include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk,magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, magneto-optical medium, aCD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any otherphysical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, aFLASH-EPROM, a solid state medium like a memory card, any other memorychip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any othermedium from which a computer can read. A digital file attachment toe-mail or other self-contained information archive or set of archives isconsidered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storagemedium. When the computer-readable media is configured as a database, itis to be understood that the database may be any type of database, suchas relational, hierarchical, object-oriented, and/or the like.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include a tangible storagemedium or distribution medium and prior art-recognized equivalents andsuccessor media, in which the software implementations of the presentdisclosure are stored.

A “computer readable signal” medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electromagnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device. Program codeembodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using anyappropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline,optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of theforegoing.

The terms “determine,” “calculate,” and “compute,” and variationsthereof, as used herein, are used interchangeably and include any typeof methodology, process, mathematical operation, or technique.

It shall be understood that the term “means” as used herein shall begiven its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C.§ 112(f). Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term “means” shallcover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and all ofthe equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials or acts andthe equivalents thereof shall include all those described in the summaryof the disclosure, brief description of the drawings, detaileddescription, abstract, and claims themselves.

As used herein unless otherwise provided, the term “belt” or “flexiblecomponent” refers to any piece of material having the general shape of aloop that may be looped over a pulley and used to mechanically link twoor more rotating shafts. Examples of belts as that term is used hereininclude loops of flexible material (such as, by way of non-limitingexample, leather, fabric, rubber, or a synthetic polymer), chains, andropes.

As used herein unless otherwise provided, the term “component” refers toany rigid, flexible, movable, or stationary item that is included in apart, assembly, or structure of an exercise machine.

As used herein unless otherwise provided, the term “mounted on,” whenused to refer to a component or structure of an exercise machine, meansthat the component is fastened to, coupled, welded to, or otherwiseaffixed or connected to another component or structure on the exercisemachine.

As used herein unless otherwise specified, the terms “swivel,” “rotate,”and “pivot” are interchangeable and each refer to an arcing or circularmotion along a fixed path about a fixed center point.

As used herein unless otherwise specified, the terms “forward end,”“forward section,” and “forward portion” each refer to an end or sectionof a climbing exercise machine or any component thereof proximal to anend of the machine toward which a user faces during operation of themachine. Conversely, the terms “rearward end,” “rearward section,” and“rearward portion” each refer to an end or section of the climbingexercise machine or any component thereof opposite to an end of themachine toward which a user faces during operation of the machine.

As used herein unless otherwise provided, the terms “inward” and“inwardly” refer to a direction oriented generally in a horizontal planeand generally toward a central longitudinal axis of a frame of anexercise machine. By way of non-limiting example, handles and footpedals of an exercise machine may extend “inwardly” from uprights of aframe because they extend from a left upright of the frame toward theright, or from a right upright of the frame toward the left (i.e., inboth cases, toward the central longitudinal axis of the frame). Bylogical extension, as used herein unless otherwise provided, the terms“outward” and “outwardly” refer to a direction oriented generally in ahorizontal plane and generally away from the central longitudinal axisof the frame of the exercise machine, e.g. toward the left from a leftupright of the frame or toward the right from a right upright of theframe.

Aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of an entirelyhardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (includingfirmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodimentcombining software and hardware aspects that may all generally bereferred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Any combinationof one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computerreadable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computerreadable storage medium.

In yet another embodiment, the systems and methods of this disclosurecan be implemented in conjunction with a special purpose computer, aprogrammed microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integratedcircuit element(s), an ASIC or other integrated circuit, a digitalsignal processor, a hard-wired electronic or logic circuit such asdiscrete element circuit, a programmable logic device or gate array suchas PLD, PLA, FPGA, PAL, special purpose computer, any comparable means,or the like. In general, any device(s) or means capable of implementingthe methodology illustrated herein can be used to implement the variousaspects of this disclosure. Exemplary hardware that can be used for thedisclosed embodiments, configurations, and aspects includes computers,handheld devices, telephones (e.g., cellular, Internet enabled, digital,analog, hybrids, and others), and other hardware known in the art. Someof these devices include processors (e.g., a single or multiplemicroprocessors), memory, nonvolatile storage, input devices, and outputdevices. Furthermore, alternative software implementations including,but not limited to, distributed processing or component/objectdistributed processing, parallel processing, or virtual machineprocessing can also be constructed to implement the methods describedherein.

Examples of the processors as described herein may include, but are notlimited to, at least one of Qualcomm® Snapdragon® 800 and 801, Qualcomm®Snapdragon® 610 and 615 with 4G LTE Integration and 64-bit computing,Apple® A7 processor with 64-bit architecture, Apple® M7 motioncoprocessors, Samsung® Exynos® series, the Intel® Core™ family ofprocessors, the Intel® Xeon® family of processors, the Intel® Atom™family of processors, the Intel Itanium® family of processors, Intel®Core® i5-4670K and i7-4770K 22 nm Haswell, Intel® Core® i5-3570K 22 nmIvy Bridge, the AMD® FX™ family of processors, AMD® FX-4300, FX-6300,and FX-8350 32 nm Vishera, AMD® Kaveri processors, Texas Instruments®Jacinto C6000™ automotive infotainment processors, Texas Instruments®OMAP™ automotive-grade mobile processors, ARM® Cortex™-M processors,ARM® Cortex-A and ARM926EJ-S™ processors, other industry-equivalentprocessors, and may perform computational functions using any known orfuture-developed standard, instruction set, libraries, and/orarchitecture.

In yet another embodiment, the disclosed methods may be readilyimplemented in conjunction with software using object or object-orientedsoftware development environments that provide portable source code thatcan be used on a variety of computer or workstation platforms. Inadditional embodiments, the disclosed methods may be implemented inconjunction with functional programming. Alternatively, the disclosedsystem may be implemented partially or fully in hardware using standardlogic circuits or VLSI design. Whether software or hardware is used toimplement the systems in accordance with this disclosure is dependent onthe speed and/or efficiency requirements of the system, the particularfunction, and the particular software or hardware systems ormicroprocessor or microcomputer systems being utilized.

In yet another embodiment, the disclosed methods may be partiallyimplemented in software that can be stored on a storage medium, executedon programmed general-purpose computer with the cooperation of acontroller and memory, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, orthe like. In these instances, the systems and methods of this disclosurecan be implemented as program embedded on personal computer such as anapplet, JAVA® or CGI script, as a resource residing on a server orcomputer workstation, as a routine embedded in a dedicated measurementsystem, system component, or the like. The system can also beimplemented by physically incorporating the system and/or method into asoftware and/or hardware system.

Although the present disclosure describes components and functionsimplemented in the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations withreference to particular standards and protocols, the aspects,embodiments, and/or configurations are not limited to such standards andprotocols. Other similar standards and protocols not mentioned hereinare in existence and are considered to be included in the presentdisclosure. Moreover, the standards and protocols mentioned herein, andother similar standards and protocols not mentioned herein areperiodically superseded by faster or more effective equivalents havingessentially the same functions. Such replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents included in thepresent disclosure.

The present invention provides an improved climbing exercise machinethat simulates a continuous vertical climbing motion for the user. Themachine generally includes two handles and two foot pedals, each ofwhich is mounted to a reciprocating, self-lubricating slide. The fourreciprocating, self-lubricating slides are housed within two uprightsdisposed on opposing lateral sides of the machine, each of which housesa linear rail; within each upright, a slide mounting a handle and aslide mounting a foot pedal are interconnected by at least one belt. Thebelt of the left upright and the belt of the right upright areinterconnected by an axle housed within a crossbar. The uprights aresecured to a stable base. In embodiments, the machine may furtherinclude electronic devices and systems that enable a user to perceivedigital content (e.g. streaming multimedia, such as climbing classes orinstructional videos, as well as other digital entertainment content)while using the machine; by way of non-limiting example, such devicesand systems may include a wirelessly networked tablet computer mountedon the crossbar of the machine.

Referring now to FIG. 1, various embodiments of a frame 10 of theexercise machine 1 are illustrated, comprising two uprights 11, acrossbar 12, and a base 13. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the uprights 11,and therefore the rails 14 to which the reciprocating, self-lubricatingslides 20 are mounted, are generally parallel to each other. Theuprights 11 are generally disposed at a horizontal distanceapproximately commensurate with a shoulder width of the user, but thiswidth may vary, and in some embodiments may be adjustable by the user.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the crossbar 12 housing the axle 16 thatinterconnects the belts 17 itself interconnects and spaces apart theuprights 11. In some embodiments, the crossbar 12 may be disposed at atop end of the uprights 11 to provide a generally A-shaped appearance,while in other embodiments, such as that illustrated in FIG. 1, thecrossbar 12 may be disposed at or near an approximate midpoint of theuprights 11 to provide a generally H-shaped appearance. The belts 17 maybe interconnected by more than one axle 16; in these embodiments, anaxle 16 interconnecting the belts 17 may be provided in association withthe top crossbar 12, or the central crossbar 12, or both.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the uprights 11 are longitudinal beams that,when the user is using the machine, extend outwardly away from the user.Each beam forms an angle with a base 13 of the exercise machine 1 ofbetween about 0 and about 90 degrees, such that the user perceives anupward direction (and optionally also a forward direction) of motion,and works against at least a portion of his or her own weight, whileexercising; in some embodiments, this angle may be adjustable by theuser. The uprights 11 interconnect with a base 13, which may generallybe shaped such that the “footprint” of the exercise machine 1 on afloor, ground, or other horizontal surface on which the machine 1 isplaced has the general shape of three sides of a rectangle. The uprights11 and base 13 thus provide greater stability for the machine 1 thanprior climbing exercise machines, while occupying a comparable or evensmaller area of floor or ground space.

As illustrated particularly in FIGS. 9B, 10A, and 11 that follow,climbing exercise machines of the present invention may optionallyinclude devices and systems that enable a user to view digital contentwhile using the machine. These devices and systems may include a tabletcomputer affixed to a vertically disposed mount extending upwardly froma centrally located (i.e. at or near an approximate midpoint of theuprights 11) crossbar 12, but it is to be expressly understood that suchdevices and systems may include other components (e.g. wirelessnetworking components, additional or alternative types of audiovisualequipment, etc.) and be affixed to the frame 10 in any suitableconfiguration (e.g. mounted directly on a surface of a central crossbar,affixed to a mount extending downwardly from a top crossbar, etc.). Suchdevices and systems are preferably wirelessly connected to a network forproviding multimedia content (e.g. the Internet), by which the user mayreceive and view live or recorded instructional videos or othermultimedia content, e.g. television shows, movies, music, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an interior of an upright 11 of the climbingexercise machine 1 is illustrated in cross-section. As illustrated, ahandle 18 of the machine 1, graspable by the user's hand, extends bothinwardly (away from the rail 14) and outwardly (into an interior of theupright 11). The handle 18 is affixed to a handle adjustment plate 19,which is interconnected via a belt 17 and cog to a generally C-shapedslide 20. The slide 20 is reciprocating and self-lubricating, and at theopen end of the C-shape snugly receives the rail 14. The snug fit of therail 14 within the open space defined by the slide 20 permits the slide20 to travel smoothly along the rail 14 (i.e. along the length of theupright 11) to allow the user to exercise, while ensuring that the slide20 does not become detached or loosened from the rail 14. While in FIG.2 the illustrated plate 19 and slide 20 mechanisms are shown inconjunction with a handle 18 (i.e. for receiving the user's hand), it isto be expressly understood that the same or similar mechanisms areprovided, mutatis mutandis, in conjunction with each foot pedal 21 (i.e.for receiving the user's foot).

Referring now to FIGS. 3A through 3J, various configurations of a handle18 of the climbing exercise machine 1 are illustrated. In FIGS. 3Athrough 3C, a grip portion of the handle 18 has a generally triangularshape in a horizontal plane, defining a central void space; asillustrated, such a structure allows the user to grasp any of the threesides of the triangular shape, and thereby place at least part of his orher hand within the central void space, while exercising. In FIGS. 3Dthrough 3F, a grip portion of the handle 18 is generally V-shaped; asillustrated, such a structure allows the user to apply either an“overhand” or “underhand” grip to the handle 18, either of which may bedesirable for various exercise applications. In FIGS. 3G through 3J,ergonomic features, such as a textured or patterned grip material, areprovided on a surface of a grip portion of the handle 18; asillustrated, and as in FIGS. 3D through 3F, the user may apply either an“overhand” or “underhand” grip to the handle. The handle 18 embodimentof FIGS. 3G through 3J includes various other optional features,including a flat inward-facing surface 23 (allowing a user to, e.g.,apply pressure to the handle 18 with a palm of the hand), and a releasepin or button 24 that allows a user to adjust the handle 18 and/ordetach the handle 18 from the slide 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A through 4C, various configurations of a footpedal 21 of the climbing exercise machine 1 are illustrated. These footpedal 21 configurations are provided with various features, any or allof which may be provided in any combination in embodiments of theinvention. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the foot pedal 21 may be providedwith an adjustable strap 25, such as, by way of non-limiting example, astrap comprising a hook-and-loop fastener, that may aid the user insecuring the user's feet to a foot pad 26 of the foot pedal 21 duringexercise; this reduces the likelihood of a slip, trip, or fall duringexercise, thus reducing the risk of injury to the user. Theconfiguration shown in FIG. 4A also includes a rod 27 that interconnectsthe foot pad 26 and strap 25 to the slide 20; in this embodiment, therod 27 is manipulable by a wrench or other tool to tighten or loosen theconnection, and is threaded to secure the rod 27 to a corresponding nut28 to mitigate the risk of accidental disconnection of the foot pedal 21during exercise. As shown in FIG. 4C, the foot pad 26 of the foot pedal21 may be provided with a textured surface to improve the grip and/oraesthetic features of the foot pad 26; the textured surface may take anysuitable configuration, including, as illustrated and by way ofnon-limiting example, a striated configuration or a tessellated or“honeycomb” pattern. As illustrated in FIGS. 4B and 4C, the rod thatinterconnects the foot pad 26 and strap 25 to the slide 20 may bereceived by a slot 29 on the side of the foot pad 26 and may beadjustable or reconfigurable within the slot 29 to allow the foot pad 26to be moved forward or backward relative to the rod 27. The foot pad 26may also have a restricted or unrestricted range of rotation about therod 27, allowing the user to apply dorsiflexion or plantar flexionduring exercise while keeping his or her foot in flush contact with thefoot pad 26.

Referring now to FIG. 5, connection mechanisms of the axle 16, crossbar12, and base of 13 the climbing exercise machine 1 are illustrated. Asillustrated in FIG. 5, the uprights 11 of the frame may be provided withapertures 30, through which the axle 16 may penetrate to interconnectthe belts 17 housed within the left and right uprights 11. Where theaxle 16 enters, intersects, or meets each upright 11, there is generallyprovided a means for converting linear motion of the belt 17 torotational motion of the axle 16 (and/or vice versa); one such means isa sprocket disposed within or in conjunction with the aperture 30. As aresult of this type of interconnection between the belts 17 and the axle16, the movements of the belts 17 (and therefore the slides 20, andtherefore the handles 18 and foot pedals 21) on either side of themachine 1 may be coordinated with each other so as to ensure that theuser employs a predetermined climbing motion, known as a climbingpattern; this feature is described in greater detail with reference toFIG. 7 below. Additionally, the crossbar 12 may be secured to theuprights 11 by means of screws 32 or other affixing devices insertedthrough a central bore 33 of the crossbar 12 and/or axle 16, asillustrated. Also illustrated in exploded view is one example of aconnection mechanism 33 (in this case, a simple insertion connection)for two sides of the base 13 to be securely interconnected to each otherand provide stability to the exercise machine 1.

Referring now to FIG. 6, another embodiment of an interior of an upright11 of the climbing exercise machine 1 is illustrated in cutaway view. Inthis embodiment, the rail 14 comprises both a center structural 34 coreand a bracket 35. The bracket 35 may have any suitably rigidconstruction and/or material; as illustrated in this embodiment, thebracket 35 is of unitary construction and is milled from iron or steel.The bracket 35 affixes a pulley 36, which receives and maintains thebelt 17 associated with the rail 14; as illustrated, the belt 17 islooped over either longitudinal side of the center structural core 34 ofthe rail 14. In this embodiment, the reciprocating, self-lubricatingslide 20 may substantially surround the entirety of a circumference ofthe center structural core 34, but as before, the slide 20 and rail 14are configured to snugly fit together such that the slide 20 may travelsmoothly and securely along the length of the rail 14. The bracket may35, but need not, have at least one axis, diameter, or width greaterthan a corresponding axis, diameter, or width of the central structuralcore 34 of the rail, thereby acting as a “stop” to prevent the slide 20from traveling beyond an upper end of the central structural core 34.The handle 18, as before, is connected to one side of the belt 17. It isto be expressly understood that, although the details of the structureof this embodiment may (or may not) differ from the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 2, the ultimate function, from the user's point ofview, remains the same: as the user moves the handle 18 upwardly ordownwardly, the travel of the slide 20 along the rail 14 causescorresponding movement of the belt 17 and therefore of the foot pedal 21disposed on the same belt 17 (not shown), and, due to theinterconnection of the two or more belts 17 via the axle 16 of theexercise machine 1, corresponding movement of the belt 17, handle 18,and foot pedal 21 of the opposing upright 11 of the exercise machine 1(not shown). While in FIG. 6 the illustrated belt 17 and slide 20mechanisms are shown in conjunction with a handle 18 (i.e. for receivingthe user's hand), it is to be expressly understood that the same orsimilar mechanisms are provided, mutatis mutandis, in conjunction witheach foot pedal 21 (i.e. for receiving the user's foot). Of course, themovement of the other handle 18 or either of the two foot pedals 21 ofthe machine 1 may also cause movement of the handle 18 illustrated inFIG. 6.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the climbing pattern created by theconfiguration of the handles 18 and foot pedals 21 in conjunction withthe belts 17 of the climbing exercise machine 1 is illustrated. Asillustrated in FIG. 7, the handles 18 and foot pedals 21 areinterconnected to the belts 17 of each upright 11 (in this case, onopposing sides of the belt 17 to ensure contralateral motion), and/orthe belts 17 of each upright 11 are interconnected via the axle 16, insuch a way that when the user moves the left handle 18 a downwardly, theleft foot pedal 21 a moves upwardly, the right handle 18 b movesupwardly, and the right foot pedal 21 b moves downwardly. Additionally,or alternatively, when the user moves the left foot pedal 21 a upwardly,the left handle 18 a moves downwardly, the right handle 18 b movesupwardly, and the right foot pedal 21 b moves downwardly. Additionally,or alternatively, when the user moves the right handle 18 b upwardly,the left handle 18 a moves downwardly, the left foot pedal 21 a movesupwardly, and the right foot pedal 21 b moves downwardly. Additionally,or alternatively, when the user moves the right foot pedal 21 bdownwardly, the left handle 18 a moves downwardly, the left foot pedal21 a moves upwardly, and the right handle 18 b moves upwardly. Thisclimbing pattern, in which a hand and the opposite foot move upwardlywhile the other hand and foot move downwardly, is known as a“contralateral” or “cross-crawl” climbing pattern and may be a preferredembodiment of the desired climbing motion. In some embodiments, analternative climbing pattern in which the right hand and foot move inone vertical direction while the left hand and foot move in the oppositedirection—known as an “ipsilateral” or “standard” climbing pattern—maybe preferred and provided for. Of course, all of the above movements mayalso be true vice versa, i.e. with each of the directions reversed.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the exercise machine 1 is configured so as toencourage the user to use a smooth, continuous, repeatable climbingmotion that represents good climbing form, e.g. a contralateral climbingmotion with one hand and the opposite foot (e.g. left hand and rightfoot) moving in one vertical direction (e.g. downwardly) while the otherhand and foot (e.g. right hand and left foot) move in the oppositevertical direction (e.g. upwardly). This encouragement of good climbingform improves the usefulness and safety of the machine to the user, asgood climbing form not only improves the effectiveness of the exercisein building strength but reduces the risk of muscle strain and otherinjuries. It is to be expressly understood that the climbing patternillustrated in FIG. 7 is exemplary only, and that the handles 18, footpedals 21, slides 20, belts 17, axles 16, and other components of theclimbing exercise machine 1 of the invention may be configured toencourage the user to use any desired climbing pattern while exercising.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A through 8C, various embodiments of theuprights 11 in the frame 10 of the climbing exercise machine 1 areillustrated. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8C is a generallyA-shaped frame 10, having two full-length uprights 11 extending theentire height of the frame 10 from the base 13 to the top crossbar 12,but other configurations and embodiments are expressly contemplated andillustrated. By way of non-limiting example, one alternative embodimentof the uprights is illustrated in FIG. 8A. In this embodiment, the twouprights 11 are, as before, separate above the crossbar 12, but havebeen combined, below the crossbar 12, into a single central unitaryupright 11 c to provide a generally Y-shaped appearance to the frame 10of the exercise machine. In such an embodiment, the two full-lengthrails 14 of the embodiments heretofore illustrated may instead bereplaced by any of several different rail configurations, including,e.g., three half-length rails 14 (one in each upright 11 above thecrossbar 12, and a single rail 14 supporting both foot pedals 21 belowthe crossbar 12), four half-length rails 14 (one in each upright 11above the crossbar 12, and separate rails 14 supporting each foot pedal21 below the crossbar 12), or two full-length rails 14 that are“crimped,” “kinked,” or “zigzagged” so as to be housed within the singlecentral unitary upright 11 c below the crossbar 12, through at least aportion of the crossbar 12, and then upwardly into the separate uprights11 above the crossbar as before. The configuration of the belts 17 may,in this embodiment, be altered in similar fashion; the foot pedals 21may be associated with two separate belts 17, or a single shared belt17, that may or may not be the same belts 17 as those associated withthe handles 18. Regardless of the exact rail 14 and belt 17configurations, however, it is to be expressly understood that theprincipal advantages and benefits are derived from interconnecting thebelts 17 associated with the handles 18 and the foot pedals 21 in such away as to provide coordinated motion between the handles 18 and the footpedals 21, which may be accomplished in any suitable configuration aswill be understood by those of skill in the art in view of thisdisclosure.

By way of further non-limiting example, another alternative embodimentof the uprights is illustrated in FIG. 8B. In this embodiment, the twouprights 11 are, as before, separate above the crossbar 12, and remainseparate below the crossbar 12 as before but at a lesser horizontaldistance. The rail 14 and belt 17 configuration may be modified to fitthis frame 10 shape, as it may be in the embodiment illustrated in FIG.8A. Again, regardless of the exact rail 14 and belt 17 configurations,it is to be expressly understood that the principal advantages andbenefits are derived from interconnecting the belts 17 associated withthe handles 18 and the foot pedals 21 in such a way as to providecoordinated motion between the handles 18 and the foot pedals 21, whichmay be accomplished in any suitable configuration as will be understoodby those of skill in the art in view of this disclosure.

FIGS. 8A through 8C also illustrate various embodiments of the base 13of the exercise machine. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8C, thebase 13 might be modified to have two members 37 meeting at an acuteangle rather than the three rectangular members illustrated in, e.g.,FIG. 1. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8A, the base 13 might havea “tripod” or “tetrapod” (or similar) form, with three or four (or more)members 37 extending outwardly away from the single central unitaryupright 11 c. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8B, the base 13might have a “footed” form, with “feet” 38 extending outwardly away fromthe uprights 111. Any one or more of these and other contemplated base13 configurations may be combined with any one or more configurations ofthe frame 10, and such combinations and modifications are within thescope of the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 9A through 9E, additional embodiments of frames10 of a climbing exercise machine 1, specifically with a single centralunitary upright 11 c to provide a generally Y-shaped frame 10, areillustrated. As illustrated in FIGS. 9B and 9E, the uprights 11 andcrossbar 12 may collectively take the form of “split arms” having anysuitable shape, and specifically may be curved and/or tapered to providea desired width between the split arms, thereby providing a frame 10that more closely resembles a “wishbone” shape or “tuning fork” than a Yshape. In these embodiments, the crossbar 12 may not be an elongatehorizontal component but may instead comprise the basal portions of thesplit arms where the split arms intersect the single central unitaryupright 11 c. Of particular note in these embodiments, in addition tothe varying frame 10 shape and any one or more of several possible base13 configurations, is the provision of an adjustable arm 39,interconnected with and extending upwardly from the crossbar 12 and/orintersection point of the split arms. The adjustable arm 39 functions asa mounting device for a tablet 40 or other electronic device or systemthat may provide the user with digital instruction, entertainment, orother data while exercising, and an angle of the adjustable arm 39 withrespect to a horizontal axis may be selectively adjusted, preferablywithin a range of no less than about 0 degrees and no more than about 90degrees, by a user, as illustrated in FIG. 9D.

Referring now to FIGS. 10A and 10B, various optional adjustment andsafety mechanisms that may be provided as part of climbing exercisemachines 1 of the present invention are illustrated. As a firstnon-limiting example, an adjustable handle 41, which may be the same asor different from a handle 18 used by the user during exercise, may beprovided on an upper or central portion of the frame 10 to aid the userin stepping up onto the foot pedals 21 of the exercise machine. As asecond non-limiting example, a mounting bracket 42, provided inassociation with a mounting arm 39 for a tablet 40 or other electronicdevice or system, may allow the tablet 40 or other device or system tobe tilted or rotated relative to the mounting arm 39; the mounting arm39 may also be, in addition to adjustable with respect to angle,telescoping or otherwise articulable to allow for adjustment of a heightof the tablet 40 or other device or system. As a third non-limitingexample, and as illustrated in FIG. 10B, a foot pedal 21 of the exercisemachine 1 may comprise a crank 43 or other mechanism allowing a positionof the foot pedal 21 to be adjusted, e.g. forward or backward (relativeto the rod 27 mounting the foot pedal 21 to the slide 20) or inwardly oroutwardly (relative to the frame 10).

Referring now to FIG. 11, additional features of embodiments of climbingexercise machines 1 of the present invention are illustrated. In thisembodiment, the crossbar 12 takes a different form than in the otherembodiments previously illustrated; specifically, the crossbar 12 inthis embodiment takes the form of an X-shaped piece, such that an axle16 interconnecting the belts 17 of the left and right uprights 11 may bedisposed and/or housed within either or both of the arms of the X-shape.This embodiment may provide advantages and benefits related to thesmooth travel and mechanical longevity of the belts 17 and/or axle(s)16. In this embodiment, a mounting arm 39 for a tablet 40 is curved,extending upwardly and toward a user from its connection point on theintersection of the two arms of the X-shaped piece. A furtherconfiguration of a base 13, in which a triangular portion havingfootings 44 is interconnected to each upright 11, is provided in thisembodiment. Speakers may also be integrated into the base 13 or a lowerportion of the frame 10, which may be operably connected via a wired orwireless connection to the tablet 40 to play audio content delivered viathe tablet 40.

In embodiments, climbing exercise machines of the present invention maycomprise a braking feature that increases the resistance the userencounters during exercise and thereby increases the intensity and/oreffectiveness of the user's workout. Generally, the braking featurecomprises a device or means that slows the rotation of the axle and/orincreases the amount of work required to rotate the axle. By way ofnon-limiting example, such braking features may include a hydraulicpump, a magnetic and/or electromagnetic device that acts to slow orretard the rotation of the axle (e.g. an eddy current brake), and/or afriction brake. The degree of braking, i.e. the magnitude of the brakingeffect imparted by the braking feature and thus of the increase in workneeded to rotate the axle, may be selectively adjusted by a user, forexample by use of a knob or other user input device.

Referring now to FIG. 12, another embodiment of a climbing exercisemachine 1 according to the present invention is illustrated; the frame10 is omitted from the illustration to more clearly depict internalcomponents of the climbing exercise machine 1. In this embodiment, thebelts 17 are toothed belts, which may be advantageous for, by way ofnon-limiting example, interfacing with a sprocket 45 that is configuredto convert linear motion of the belts 17 into rotational motion of theaxle 16 (or vice versa). The climbing exercise machine 1 also includesvarious other features of the invention, such as belt tensioners 46 thatmay serve any one or more of several purposes, including but not limitedto the ability to be adjusted or controlled by the user via a user inputdevice (not shown) to increase or decrease tension on the belts 17 andthus increase or decrease the resistance the user encounters duringexercise. Additionally or alternatively, the user can modify theresistance encountered during exercise by controlling, via the same or adifferent user input device, a resistance pump or motor 47 that isoperatively interconnected to the axle 16, e.g., via a belt and pulleys.

In embodiments, climbing exercise machines of the present invention maycomprise one or more sensors or devices for measuring and/or recordingat least one parameter associated with a use of the machine thatcorresponds to a parameter of interest to the user. Specifically, manyusers desire to measure, record, or calculate parameters such as alength of the workout, an effective distance climbed during the workout,a quantity of energy expended the workout, and so on. In some cases,these parameters can be measured directly (e.g. by timing the workout),while others may be calculated from parameters associated with themachine, e.g., the total distance traveled by the reciprocating,self-lubricating slides, the number of rotations of the axle, and/or thework done on the axle (total and/or per rotation). Accordingly, thesensor(s) or device(s) may measure and/or record the parameterassociated with the machine and, optionally, convert this parameter to aparameter of interest to the user according to an algorithm. In someembodiments, data comprising the parameter associated with the machineand/or the parameter of interest to the user may be presented to theuser in a graphical user interface of the tablet computer of theexercise machine.

In embodiments, the base of the climbing exercise machine may comprisewheels or casters that permit the machine to be easily repositioned on afloor or ground surface. The wheels or casters may take any suitableform and may be placed on any suitable portion of the base. The wheelsor casters may, but need not, be selectively removable and/or may beprovided with a braking and/or locking mechanism to secure the machinein a desired position.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating elements of an exemplarycomputing environment in which embodiments of the present disclosure maybe implemented. More specifically, this example illustrates a computingenvironment 100 that may function as the servers, user computers, orother systems provided and described herein. The environment 100includes one or more user computers, or computing devices, such as acomputing device 104, a communication device 108, and/or more 112. Thecomputing devices 104, 108, 112 may include general purpose personalcomputers (including, merely by way of example, personal computers,and/or laptop computers running various versions of Microsoft Corp.'sWindows® and/or Apple Corp.'s Macintosh® operating systems) and/orworkstation computers running any of a variety of commercially availableUNIX® or UNIX-like operating systems. These computing devices 104, 108,112 may also have any of a variety of applications, including forexample, database client and/or server applications, and web browserapplications. Alternatively, the computing devices 104, 108, 112 may beany other electronic device, such as a thin-client computer,Internet-enabled mobile telephone, and/or personal digital assistant,capable of communicating via a network 110 and/or displaying andnavigating web pages or other types of electronic documents. Althoughthe exemplary computer environment 100 is shown with two computingdevices, any number of user computers or computing devices may besupported.

Environment 100 further includes a network 110. The network 110 may canbe any type of network familiar to those skilled in the art that cansupport data communications using any of a variety of commerciallyavailable protocols, including without limitation Session InitiationProtocol (SIP), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol(TCP/IP), Systems Network Architecture (SNA), Internetwork PacketExchange (IPX), AppleTalk, and the like. Merely by way of example, thenetwork 110 maybe a Local Area Network (LAN), such as an Ethernetnetwork, a Token-Ring network and/or the like; a wide-area network; avirtual network, including without limitation a Virtual Private Network(VPN); the Internet; an intranet; an extranet; a Public SwitchedTelephone Network (PSTN); an infra-red network; a wireless network(e.g., a network operating under any of the IEEE 802.9 suite ofprotocols, the Bluetooth® protocol known in the art, and/or any otherwireless protocol); and/or any combination of these and/or othernetworks.

The system may also include one or more servers 114, 116. In thisexample, server 114 is shown as a web server and server 116 is shown asan application server. The web server 114, which may be used to processrequests for web pages or other electronic documents from computingdevices 104, 108, 112. The web server 114 can be running an operatingsystem including any of those discussed above, as well as anycommercially available server operating systems. The web server 114 canalso run a variety of server applications, including SIP servers,HyperText Transfer Protocol (secure) (HTTP(s)) servers, FTP servers, CGIservers, database servers, Java servers, and the like. In someinstances, the web server 114 may publish operations availableoperations as one or more web services.

The environment 100 may also include one or more file and or/applicationservers 116, which can, in addition to an operating system, include oneor more applications accessible by a client running on one or more ofthe computing devices 104, 108, 112. The server(s) 116 and/or 114 may beone or more general purpose computers capable of executing programs orscripts in response to the computing devices 104, 108, 112. As oneexample, the server 116, 114 may execute one or more web applications.The web application may be implemented as one or more scripts orprograms written in any programming language, such as Java™, C, C#®, orC++, and/or any scripting language, such as Perl, Python, or ToolCommand Language (TCL), as well as combinations of anyprogramming/scripting languages. The application server(s) 116 may alsoinclude database servers, including without limitation thosecommercially available from Oracle®, Microsoft®, Sybase®, IBM® and thelike, which can process requests from database clients running on acomputing device 104, 108, 112.

The web pages created by the server 114 and/or 116 may be forwarded to acomputing device 104, 108, 112 via a web (file) server 114, 116.Similarly, the web server 114 may be able to receive web page requests,web services invocations, and/or input data from a computing device 104,108, 112 (e.g., a user computer, etc.) and can forward the web pagerequests and/or input data to the web (application) server 116. Infurther embodiments, the server 116 may function as a file server.Although for ease of description, FIG. 13 illustrates a separate webserver 114 and file/application server 116, those skilled in the artwill recognize that the functions described with respect to servers 114,116 may be performed by a single server and/or a plurality ofspecialized servers, depending on implementation-specific needs andparameters. The computer systems 104, 108, 112, web (file) server 114and/or web (application) server 116 may function as the system, devices,or components described herein.

The environment 100 may also include a database 118. The database 118may reside in a variety of locations. By way of example, database 118may reside on a storage medium local to (and/or resident in) one or moreof the computers 104, 108, 112, 114, 116. Alternatively, it may beremote from any or all of the computers 104, 108, 112, 114, 116, and incommunication (e.g., via the network 110) with one or more of these. Thedatabase 118 may reside in a Storage-Area Network (SAN) familiar tothose skilled in the art. Similarly, any necessary files for performingthe functions attributed to the computers 104, 108, 112, 114, 116 may bestored locally on the respective computer and/or remotely, asappropriate. The database 118 may be a relational database, such asOracle 20i®, that is adapted to store, update, and retrieve data inresponse to Structured Query Language (SQL) formatted commands.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating elements of an exemplarycomputing device in which embodiments of the present disclosure may beimplemented. More specifically, this example illustrates one embodimentof a computer system 200 upon which the servers, user computers,computing devices, or other systems or components described above may bedeployed or executed. The computer system 200 is shown comprisinghardware elements that may be electrically coupled via a bus 204. Thehardware elements may include one or more Central Processing Units(CPUs) 208; one or more input devices 212 (e.g., a mouse, a keyboard,etc.); and one or more output devices 216 (e.g., a display device, aprinter, etc.). The computer system 200 may also include one or morestorage devices 220. By way of example, storage device(s) 220 may bedisk drives, optical storage devices, solid-state storage devices suchas a Random-Access Memory (RAM) and/or a Read-Only Memory (ROM), whichcan be programmable, flash-updateable and/or the like.

The computer system 200 may additionally include a computer-readablestorage media reader 224; a communications system 228 (e.g., a modem, anetwork card (wireless or wired), an infra-red communication device,etc.); and working memory 236, which may include RAM and ROM devices asdescribed above. The computer system 200 may also include a processingacceleration unit 232, which can include a Digital Signal Processor(DSP), a special-purpose processor, and/or the like.

The computer-readable storage media reader 224 can further be connectedto a computer-readable storage medium, together (and, optionally, incombination with storage device(s) 220) comprehensively representingremote, local, fixed, and/or removable storage devices plus storagemedia for temporarily and/or more permanently containingcomputer-readable information. The communications system 228 may permitdata to be exchanged with a network and/or any other computer describedabove with respect to the computer environments described herein.Moreover, as disclosed herein, the term “storage medium” may representone or more devices for storing data, including ROM, RAM, magnetic RAM,core memory, magnetic disk storage mediums, optical storage mediums,flash memory devices and/or other machine-readable mediums for storinginformation.

The computer system 200 may also comprise software elements, shown asbeing currently located within a working memory 236, including anoperating system 240 and/or other code 244. It should be appreciatedthat alternate embodiments of a computer system 200 may have numerousvariations from that described above. For example, customized hardwaremight also be used and/or particular elements might be implemented inhardware, software (including portable software, such as applets), orboth. Further, connection to other computing devices such as networkinput/output devices may be employed.

Examples of the processors 208 as described herein may include, but arenot limited to, at least one of Qualcomm® Snapdragon® 800 and 801,Qualcomm® Snapdragon® 620 and 615 with 4G LTE Integration and 64-bitcomputing, Apple® A7 processor with 64-bit architecture, Apple® M7motion coprocessors, Samsung® Exynos® series, the Intel® Core™ family ofprocessors, the Intel® Xeon® family of processors, the Intel® Atom™family of processors, the Intel Itanium® family of processors, Intel®Core® i5-4670K and i7-4770K 22 nm Haswell, Intel® Core® i5-3570K 22 nmIvy Bridge, the AMD® FX™ family of processors, AMD® FX-4300, FX-6300,and FX-8350 32 nm Vishera, AMD® Kaveri processors, Texas Instruments®Jacinto C6000™ automotive infotainment processors, Texas Instruments®OMAP™ automotive-grade mobile processors, ARM® Cortex™-M processors,ARM® Cortex-A and ARM926EJ-S™ processors, other industry-equivalentprocessors, and may perform computational functions using any known orfuture-developed standard, instruction set, libraries, and/orarchitecture.

FIGS. 15-36 illustrate various views of climbing exercise machinesaccording to additional or alternative embodiments of the invention. Incertain figures, portions of the structural frame are illustrated astransparent to best illustrate various features and components locatedwithin various portions of the frame and to illustrate how thosefeatures and components interact to create the function of eachembodiment. Each of the functional components and features of theembodiments of the invention is clearly illustrated in at least onefigure, but in some figures certain components or features are omittedto best illustrate other components that may not be as visibleotherwise.

Each embodiment of a climbing exercise machine according to embodimentsof the invention is supported by a base, i.e. a structural portion ofthe machine that contacts a floor surface or ground surface. In somefigures, one or more flexible components are represented as belts, whilein other figures one or more flexible components are represented aschains; it is to be expressly understood that various flexiblecomponents, such as belts, chains, cables, ropes, and the like, can beutilized to interconnect the various components and mechanisms ofclimbing exercise machines of the invention, and all such variations arewithin the scope of the invention. Likewise, in some figures, theflexible components are represented as being guided by pulleys and incertain figures the flexible components are represented as being guidedby sprockets; it is to be expressly understood that various circularcomponents that rotate on a center axle and are capable of guiding aflexible component can be used to guide the flexible components of theclimbing exercise machines of the invention, and all such variations arewithin the scope of the invention.

A resistance component of climbing exercise machines of the inventionthat provides resistance to the user while exercising is referred toherein as a “resistance motor,” but it is to be expressly understoodthat various additional or alternative components and/or mechanisms canbe utilized to provide resistance to the user, and all such variationsare within the scope of the invention. A component referred to herein asa “slide” is a component that (1) engages with a substantially planarsurface, e.g. by sliding or rolling on the substantially planar surface,and (2) is interconnected to or with other components of the climbingexercise machine and causing those other components to move linearlywith the sliding or rolling of the slide along the substantially planarsurface.

When structures or components of the invention are referred to as beinglocated on a left or right side of a climbing exercise machine, it is tobe understood that this refers to a user's left or right, respectively,when the user is engaged with and operating the machine. When referringto a forward or rearward portion of a climbing exercise machine, it isto be understood that forward aspects of the machine are proximate to aside of the machine from which the user mounts and dismounts themachine, and rearward aspects of the machine are distant from a side ofthe machine from which the user mounts and dismounts the machine.

FIGS. 15-23 illustrate an embodiment of the invention comprising twouprights 11, wherein a linkage assembly that interconnects handles, footpedals, and a resistance mechanism of the machine comprises multipleflexible components that are guided by pulleys (hereinafter a “multipleflexible component assembly”). A resistance motor 47 is rotated by oneof these multiple flexible components, in a configuration referred to asa “capstan;” in this configuration, as illustrated in isolated view inFIGS. 17 and 18, a central portion of a belt 17 c is wrapped in multiplecircular windings on the surface of a resistance motor axle pulley 65.The resistance motor axle pulley 65 is rigidly attached to theresistance motor axle 64 such that the reciprocating motion of belt 17 con the resistance motor axle pulley 65 rotates the resistance motor axle64 to activate the resistance motor 47 during operation of the machine1.

FIGS. 15, 16, 22, and 23 illustrate a climbing exercise machine 1 of anembodiment of the invention utilizing a multiple flexible componentassembly, wherein the lower ends of left and right uprights 11, whichare mostly vertical, parallel, and spaced, are rigidly attached to aforward and open end of a base 13 at an obtuse angle; while the figuresillustrate the base 13 as being U- or horseshoe-shaped, it is to beexpressly understood that the base 13 can be configured in any ofvarious shapes capable of supporting uprights 11, a user U, and theother components of the machine 1, and such variations are within thescope of the invention. Uprights 11 and base 13 are constructed of arigid material capable of supporting the components and functions of themachine 1 and the user U; any of various metals, steels, and alloys maybe commonly employed, but other materials are contemplated and arewithin the scope of the invention. Each upright 11 houses a stationaryupper rail 14 and a stationary lower rail 14, and each rail 14 supportsat least one slide 20 such that each slide 20 can slide on a rail 14 tocreate a linear reciprocating motion along the uprights 11. The slides20 can be constructed with various components, such as wheels, linearmotion bearings, or other linear motion components, for engaging withand moving along the rails 14. Upper left linear slide 20 is rigidlyconnected to a handle adjustment plate 19 that in turn is operativelyconnected to a left handle 18 a, and lower left linear slide 20 isrigidly connected to a foot pedal support axle 78 that in turn isoperatively connected to a left foot pedal 21 a. Upper right linearslide 20 is rigidly connected to a handle adjustment plate 19 that inturn is operatively connected to a right handle 18 b, and lower rightlinear slide 20 is rigidly connected to a foot pedal support axle 78that in turn is operatively connected to a right foot pedal 21 b. Acrossbar 12 connects left upright 11 to right upright 11. Asillustrated, the crossbar 12 connects a central portion of left upright11 to a central portion of right upright 11, but it is to be expresslyunderstood that crossbar 12 can connect at various locations on left andright uprights 11 and allow for the climbing exercise machine 1 toprovide substantially similar functions, and such variations are withinthe scope of the invention. The crossbar 12 can be constructed of any ofvarious rigid materials capable of supporting the components connectedto crossbar 12; any of various metals, steels, and alloys may becommonly employed, but other materials are contemplated and are withinthe scope of the invention. Vertically oriented pulleys 36 are mountedwithin the upper ends of left and right uprights 11. A verticallyoriented pulley 36 is mounted within the lower ends of left and rightuprights 11 such that a portion of pulley 36 extends into the left andright forward portions of base 13. Horizontally oriented pulleys 36 aremounted within the left and right sides of the base 13 at the rearwardclosed end of the base 13 such that a portion of each of these pulleys36 extends into the cross section of the base 13. Vertically orientedpulleys 36 are mounted within the left and right ends of the crossbar 12such that a portion of each of these pulleys 36 extends into the leftand right uprights 11, respectively. The uprights 11, crossbar 12, andbase 13 are constructed of rigid materials capable of supporting theuser U and the components and functions of the climbing exercise machine1; any of various metals, steels, and alloys may be commonly employed,but other materials are contemplated and are within the scope of theinvention.

FIGS. 15, 16, and 20A-23 illustrate various views of left handle 18 aand right handle 18 b of embodiments of the invention. Each handle 18 isadjustably mounted on a handle adjustment plate 19. FIGS. 20A and 20Billustrate closeup views of a handle adjustment plate 19 and a handle18, wherein the handle 18 is rigidly connected to a handle adjustmentlatching pin 77 and handle adjustment plate 19 is configured withmultiple handle adjustment latching pin receivers 55. To optimizeoperation of the climbing exercise machine 1 for each individual user U,the location of the handle 18 on the handle adjustment plate 19 can beadjusted prior to operating the machine 1 by disengaging the adjustmentlatching pin 77 from a first handle adjustment latching pin receiver 55,moving the handle 18 to a different location on the handle adjustmentplate 19, and engaging handle adjustment latching pin 77 with a secondadjustment latching pin receiver 55. FIG. 20A illustrates the handle 18in a first location on the handle adjustment plate 19, and FIG. 20Billustrates the handle 18 in a second location on the handle adjustmentplate 19.

FIGS. 15-17, 19A, 19B, 22, and 23 illustrate various views of a leftfoot pedal 21 a and a right foot pedal 21 b of embodiments of theinvention. Each foot pedal 21 is operatively mounted on a foot pedalsupport axle 78. FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate closeup views of a footpedal 21, an adjustable strap 25, a foot pedal support axle 78, and afoot pedal latch 50. The foot pedal latch 50 is a spring-loaded latchthat is operatively mounted to the end of the foot pedal support axle 78that is distant from an upright 11. When the internal spring of the footpedal latch 50 is extended and the foot pedal latch 50 is proximate toupright 11, the foot pedal latch 50 cannot rotate on foot pedal supportaxle 78, but when the internal spring of the foot pedal latch 50 iscontracted and the foot pedal latch 50 is distant from upright 11, thefoot pedal latch 50 can be rotated. FIG. 19A illustrates the foot pedallatch 50 as rigidly connected to foot pedal 21, wherein the internalspring of the foot pedal latch 50 is extended and a foot pedal latch pin51 is engaged with a foot pedal latch receiver 52 such that the footpedal 21 is rigidly connected to the foot pedal support axle 78 at afixed angle. FIG. 19B illustrates the foot pedal latch 50 asdisconnected from the foot pedal 21, wherein the internal spring of thefoot pedal latch 50 is compressed, the foot pedal latch 50 is rotateddownward, and the foot pedal latch pin 51 is disengaged from the footpedal latch receiver 52 such that the foot pedal 21 can articulate aboutthe foot pedal support axle 78. The adjustable strap 25 is connected toeither side of the foot pedal 21 to secure the user U's foot duringoperation of the climbing exercise machine 1.

FIGS. 15-18 and 20A-23 illustrate various views of the belt patterns ofthe linkage assembly, in this case a multiple flexible componentassembly, of embodiments of the invention, wherein a belt 17 aoperatively connects left handle 18 a to left foot pedal 21 a and a belt17 b operatively connects right handle 18 b to right foot pedal 21 b. Afirst end of belt 17 a is connected to the forward side of left handleadjustment plate 19 with a belt connector 15, whereby the first end ofbelt 17 a is operatively connected to left handle 18 a and belt 17 aextends upward within the forward side of left upright 11, wraps over apulley 36, and extends downward within the rearward side of left upperupright 11, and a second end of belt 17 a is connected to the rearwardside of a slide 20 with a belt connector 15 such that the second end ofbelt 17 a is operatively connected to left foot pedal support axle 78and left foot pedal 21 a. Belt 17 b is operatively connected to righthandle 18 b and right foot pedal 21 b in an identical configuration,mutatis mutandis.

FIGS. 15-18 and 20A-23 also illustrate that, in this configuration, abelt 17 c operatively connects left foot pedal 21 a to the resistancemotor 47 and to right foot pedal 21 b, and a belt 17 d operativelyconnects left handle 18 a to right handle 18 b. The first end of belt 17c connects to the forward side of a slide 20 with a belt connector 15such that the first end of belt 17 c is operatively connected to leftfoot pedal support axle 78 and left foot pedal 21 a, extends downwardwithin the front side of left upright 11 and into the forward end of thebase 13, wraps underneath a pulley 36, extends through a left side tubeof base 13 to the forward end of the left side tube, wraps around theleft side of a pulley 36, extends within a cross tube of the base 13 toa center section of the cross tube, wraps multiple times about theresistance motor axle pulley 65, extends through the cross tube of thebase 13 to the forward end of a right side tube of base 13, wraps aroundthe forward side of a pulley 36, extends through the right side tube ofthe base 13 to the forward end of the right side tube, wraps underneatha pulley 36, and extends upward within the forward side of right upright11. The second end of belt 17 c connects to the forward side of a slide20 with a belt connector 15 such that the second end of belt 17 c isoperatively connected to left foot pedal support axle 78 and left footpedal 21 a. The first end of belt 17 d is connected to the lower centersection of left handle adjustment plate 19 with a belt connector 15 suchthat the first end of belt 17 d is operatively connected to left handle18 a, extends downward within left upright 11, wraps around an outerside of a pulley 36, extends through the crossbar 12 to the right end ofthe crossbar 12, wraps around the bottom side of a pulley 36, andextends upward through right upright 11. The second end of belt 17 dconnects to the lower center section of right handle adjustment plate 19with a belt connector 15 such that the second end of belt 17 d isoperatively connected to right handle 18 b.

As a result of the interconnection of the handles 18 and foot pedals 21created by the multiple flexible component linkage assembly illustratedin FIGS. 15-18 and 20A-23, a concurrent pattern of reciprocating motionof the handles 18 and foot pedals 21 is created, such that (1) when lefthandle 18 a moves upward, left foot pedal 21 a moves downward (and viceversa); (2) when right handle 18 b moves upward, right foot pedal 21 bmoves downward (and vice versa); (3) when left handle 18 a moves upward,right handle 18 b moves downward (and vice versa); and (4) when leftfoot pedal 21 a moves upward, right foot pedal 21 b moves downward (andvice versa). This pattern causes the reciprocating motion of belt 17 c,which is wrapped multiple times about the resistance motor axle pulley65, to rotate the resistance motor axle pulley 65 and thus theresistance motor axle 64, which activates the resistance motor 47 duringoperation of the climbing exercise machine 1.

FIGS. 15, 16, and 20A-23 illustrate various views of the crossbar 12,and various components and features mounted on and within the crossbar12, of embodiments of the invention. As previously described herein,pulleys 36 are mounted on each end of crossbar 12 to guide a belt 17 dthrough the crossbar 12. A resistance adjustment dial 59 is mounted on acentral portion of the crossbar 12, in a location easily accessible bythe user U during operation of the machine 1, and is operativelyconnected to the resistance motor 47 such that the user U can move andadjust the resistance adjustment dial 59 to a preferred setting tomanipulate the amount of resistance to the exercise motion of themachine 1 created by the resistance motor 47.

A tablet computer 40 is mounted on the crossbar 12, in a location easilyaccessible by a user U, such that the user U can operate the tabletcomputer 40 while operating the machine 1. Tablet computer 40 includes aviewing screen that allows a user U to perceive digital content whileoperating the machine 1. Tablet computer 40 can also collect and displaydata pertaining to the user U's performance while operating the machine1. At least a portion of the performance data corresponding to user U'suse of the machine 1 can be captured by sensors located on variouscomponents of the machine 1, such as one or more movable electronicsensors 53 and/or one or more stationary electronic sensors 54. As bestillustrated in FIGS. 20A and 20B, a movable electronic sensor 53 ismounted on a forward section of a handle adjustment plate 19 and astationary electronic sensor 54 is mounted on an adjacent section of anupright 11, such that when handle adjustment plate 19 moves in areciprocating linear pattern along upright 11, the movable electronicsensor 53 passes in close proximity to stationary electronic sensor 54,and either or both of the movable electronic sensor 53 and thestationary electronic sensor 54 collects data and transfers these datato tablet computer 40. Tablet computer 40 can also collect and displaydata from the resistance motor 47 and other electronic devices andcomponents that interact with machine 1. Although FIGS. 20A and 20Bdepict a single movable electronic sensor 53 and a single stationaryelectronic sensor 54, it is to be expressly understood that the climbingexercise machine 1 may include any number of movable electronic sensors53 and/or stationary electronic sensors 54, within the scope of thepresent invention.

Tablet computer 40 is connected to the crossbar 12 via a mountingbracket 42 and is supported by an adjustable arm 39. The adjustable arm39 can telescope within the mounting bracket 42 to adjust the height ofthe tablet computer 40, and can rotate within the mounting bracket 42 toadjust the angle of the tablet computer 40 in a horizontal planerelative to the user U. An adjustable arm movement lever 58 can be usedto manipulate the position of the adjustable arm 39 and the tabletcomputer 40. Tablet computer 40 is connected to the adjustable arm 39via a tablet pivot rod 56, such that the tablet computer 40 can beadjusted to various vertical angles. Tablet computer 40 can also berotated up to 180 degrees in a horizontal plane, as illustrated in FIGS.20A and 20B, to face in a rearward direction, such that a user U canperceive digital content from the tablet computer 40 while being behindthe machine 1; this feature may be useful for user U to interact withthe tablet computer 40 while not operating the machine 1 but performingother exercises.

As illustrated in FIG. 22, to operate the machine 1 of the illustratedembodiment of the invention, a user U may enter or mount the machine bystepping onto left foot pedal 21 a with their left foot, stepping ontoright foot pedal 21 b with their right foot, grasping left handle 18 awith their left hand, and grasping right handle 18 b with their righthand. If the left foot pedal 21 a and the left handle 18 a arerelatively proximate to each other, as illustrated in FIG. 22, then theright foot pedal 21 b and the right handle 18 b are relatively distantfrom each other, and vice versa. To begin exercising, user U may pushdownward with their left foot and push upward with their left hand,causing left foot pedal 21 a to move downward and left handle 18 b tomove upward, and concurrently pull their right foot upward and pulltheir right hand downward, causing right foot pedal 21 b to move upwardand right handle 18 b to move downward. This motion concurrentlyactivates and moves the interconnected belts 17 a,b,c,d and theresistance motor 47. The reverse motion of the user's feet and handswould cause a reverse motion of the handles 18 a,b and foot pedals 21a,b and the interconnected belts 17 a,b,c,d and the resistance motor 47.The user U can perform any desired number of repetitions, adjust theresistance to the exercise motion as previously described herein, andcontrol the distance of movement of left foot pedal 21 a, left handle 18a, right foot pedal 21 b, and right handle 18 b for each repetition.

FIGS. 24-28 illustrate a climbing exercise machine 1, according to anembodiment of the invention, comprising two uprights 11, wherein thelinkage assembly that interconnects the handles 18, foot pedals 21, andresistance mechanism of the machine comprises multiple gear racks anddrive gears and at least one flexible component guided by pulleys(hereinafter a “multiple gear linkage assembly”). More specifically,FIGS. 25-27 illustrate a closeup view of this linkage assembly, whereinhandles 18 and foot pedals 21 are rigidly connected to elongated gearracks. These gear racks, together with multiple rotating drive gears,multiple axles, multiple sprockets or pulleys, and a flexible membersuch as a belt or chain, are interconnected to create the motion of themachine 1 and to drive the resistance motor 47 that provides theresistance to the exercise motion of the machine 1.

FIGS. 24 and 28 illustrate views of the climbing exercise machine 1 ofan embodiment of the invention utilizing a multiple gear linkageassembly, wherein left and right uprights 11 and the base 13 areconstructed and interconnected substantially as described with respectto the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 15-23. Each upright 11 housesmultiple guide components that guide the linear reciprocating motion ofa set of interconnected gear racks. As illustrated, these guidecomponents are represented as gear rack guide wheels 62, but it is to beexpressly understood that various components, such as linear bearings,linear bushings, cam followers, and other linear guide components, couldbe utilized to guide the gear racks with identical or nearly identicalfunction, and such variations are within the scope of the invention.Within left upright 11, an upper end of a left handle gear rack 61 a isrigidly connected to a handle adjustment plate 19 that in turn isoperatively connected to a left handle 18 a; a lower end of left footpedal gear rack 60 a is rigidly connected to a foot pedal support axle78 that in turn is operatively connected to a left foot pedal 21 a; andleft handle gear rack 61 a and left pedal gear rack 60 a are operativelyengaged with and interconnected by a left gear rack drive gear 63 a.Within right upright 11, an upper end of a right handle gear rack 61 bis rigidly connected to a handle adjustment plate 19 that in turn isoperatively connected to a right handle 18 b; a lower end of right footpedal gear rack 60 b is rigidly connected to a foot pedal support axle78 that in turn is operatively connected to a right foot pedal 21 b; andright handle gear rack 61 b and right foot pedal gear rack 60 b areoperatively engaged with and interconnected by a right gear rack drivegear 63 b. The crossbar 12 connects left upright 11 to right upright 11,substantially as described with respect to the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 15-23.

FIGS. 24-28 illustrate various views of a left handle 18 a and a righthandle 18 b of embodiments of the invention. Each handle 18 isadjustably mounted on a handle adjustment plate 19. FIGS. 25 and 27illustrate closeup views of a handle adjustment plate 19 and a handle18, wherein the handle 18 is rigidly connected to a handle adjustmentlatching pin 77 and the handle adjustment plate 19 is configured withmultiple handle adjustment latching pin receivers 55. To optimizeoperation of the climbing exercise machine 1 for each individual user U,the location of the handle 18 on the handle adjustment plate 19 can beadjusted prior to operating the machine 1 by disengaging the adjustmentlatching pin 77 from a first handle adjustment latching pin receiver 55,moving handle 18 to another location on the handle adjustment plate 19,and engaging the handle adjustment latching pin 77 with a secondadjustment latching pin receiver 55. The handle adjustment mechanismillustrated in FIGS. 25 and 27 may thus function in the same way as thehandle adjustment mechanism previously described herein and illustratedin FIGS. 20A and 20B.

FIGS. 24 and 28 illustrate various views of a left foot pedal 21 a and aright foot pedal 21 b of embodiments of the invention. Each foot pedal21 is operatively mounted on a foot pedal support axle 78. Thisoperative mounting generally functions in the same way as the foot pedalmounting mechanism previously described herein and illustrated in FIGS.19A and 19B.

As illustrated in FIGS. 24-28, the left handle gear rack 61 a and theleft foot pedal gear rack 60 a are located in opposing parallelpositions within left upright 11 and are operatively engaged withopposing sides of the left gear rack drive gear 63 a such that the teethof the left handle gear rack 61 a are engaged with the teeth of the leftgear rack drive gear 63 a relatively proximate to the forward side ofleft upright 11 and the teeth of the left foot pedal gear rack 61 a areengaged with the teeth of the left gear rack drive gear 63 a relativelyproximate to the rearward side of left upright 11. This operativeengagement of the left handle gear rack 61 a and the left foot pedalgear rack 60 a with the left gear rack drive gear 63 a synchronizes thelinear motion of the left handle gear rack 61 a with the linear motionof the left foot pedal gear rack 60 a and causes the left handle gearrack 61 a to always move in the opposite direction of the motion of theleft foot pedal gear rack 60 a during operation of the machine 1.Multiple gear rack guide wheels 62 guide the linear motion of the lefthandle gear rack 61 a and the left foot pedal gear rack 60 a and keepthe left handle gear rack 61 a and the left foot pedal gear rack 60 a inparallel planes of motion during the operation of the machine 1. As alsoillustrated in FIGS. 24-28, the right handle gear rack 61 b and theright foot pedal gear rack 60 b are located in opposing parallelpositions within right upright 11 and the right handle gear rack 61 band the right foot pedal gear rack 60 b are operatively engaged withopposing sides of the right gear rack drive gear 63 b. The operativeengagement of the right foot pedal gear rack 60 b, the right handle gearrack 61 b, and the right gear rack drive gear 63 b is identical, mutatismutandis, to the operative engagement of the left foot pedal gear rack60 a, the left handle gear rack 61 a, and the left gear rack drive gear63 a described above.

FIGS. 24-28 illustrate various views of the crossbar 12 and the variouscomponents and features mounted on and within the crossbar 12 ofembodiments of the invention. A resistance adjustment dial 59 is mountedon a central portion of the crossbar 12, in a location easily accessibleby the user U during operation of the machine 1, and is operativelyconnected to the resistance motor 47 such that the user U can move andadjust the resistance adjustment dial 59 to a preferred setting tomanipulate the amount of resistance to the exercise motion of themachine 1 created by the resistance motor 47.

A tablet computer 40 is mounted on the crossbar 12, in a location easilyaccessible by a user U, such that the user U can operate the tabletcomputer 40 while operating the machine 1. Tablet computer 40 includes aviewing screen that allows a user U to perceive digital content whileoperating the machine 1. Tablet computer 40 can also collect and displaydata pertaining to the user U's performance while operating the machine1. At least a portion of the performance data corresponding to user U'suse of the machine 1 can be captured by sensors located on variouscomponents of the machine 1, such as one or more movable electronicsensors 53 and/or one or more stationary electronic sensors 54. Amovable electronic sensor 53 is mounted on a forward section of a handleadjustment plate 19 and a stationary electronic sensor 54 is mounted onan adjacent section of an upright 11, such that when handle adjustmentplate 19 moves in a reciprocating linear pattern along upright 11, themovable electronic sensor 53 passes in close proximity to stationaryelectronic sensor 54, and either or both of the movable electronicsensor 53 and the stationary electronic sensor 54 collects data andtransfers these data to tablet computer 40. Tablet computer 40 can alsocollect and display data from the resistance motor 47 and otherelectronic devices and components that interact with machine 1. AlthoughFIGS. 24-28 depict a single movable electronic sensor 53 and a singlestationary electronic sensor 54, it is to be expressly understood thatthe climbing exercise machine 1 may include any number of movableelectronic sensors 53 and/or stationary electronic sensors 54, withinthe scope of the present invention.

Tablet computer 40 is connected to the crossbar 12 via a mountingbracket 42 and is supported by an adjustable arm 39. The adjustable arm39 can telescope within the mounting bracket 42 to adjust the height ofthe tablet computer 40, and can rotate within the mounting bracket 42 toadjust the angle of the tablet computer 40 in a horizontal planerelative to the user U. An adjustable arm movement lever 58 can be usedto manipulate the position of the adjustable arm 39 and the tabletcomputer 40. Tablet computer 40 is connected to the adjustable arm 39via a tablet pivot rod 56, such that the tablet computer 40 can beadjusted to various vertical angles. Tablet computer 40 can also berotated up to 180 degrees in a horizontal plane to face in a rearwarddirection, such that a user U can perceive digital content from thetablet computer 40 while being behind the machine 1; this feature may beuseful for user U to interact with the tablet computer 40 while notoperating the machine 1 but performing other exercises.

FIG. 26 best illustrates the mechanical features of the multiple gearlinkage assembly that are located within crossbar 12, wherein a firstdrive axle 70 a is located on the left side of the crossbar 12 and issupported on opposing ends by two drive axle mounting bearings 71 thatare rigidly connected to the crossbar 12; a second drive axle 70 b islocated in a central section of the crossbar 12 and supported onopposing ends by two drive axle mounting bearings 71 that are rigidlyconnected to crossbar 12; and a third drive axle 70 c is located on theright side of the crossbar 12 and supported on opposing ends by twodrive axle mounting bearings 71 rigidly connected to the crossbar 12.The drive axles 70 a,b,c are in alignment such that the second driveaxle 70 b is below the first drive axle 70 a and a right end portion ofthe first drive axle 70 a and a left end portion of second drive axle 70b overlap, and such that the third drive axle is located above thesecond drive axle 70 b and a left end portion of the third drive axle 70c and a right end portion of the second drive axle 70 b overlap. Theresistance motor 47 is rigidly mounted in a central rearward section ofcrossbar 12.

The left end of the first drive axle 70 a extends through a drive axlemounting bearing 71 and is rigidly connected to the left gear rack drivegear 63 a. A first axle drive gear 72 a is rigidly connected to aright-side section of the first drive axle 70 a, and a second drive axledrive gear 72 b is rigidly connected to a left-side section of seconddrive axle 70 b; the first drive axle drive gear 72 a and the seconddrive axle drive gear 72 b are in aligned contact and operativelyengaged with each other. A second drive axle drive chain sprocket 74 isrigidly connected to a right-side section of the second drive axle 70 b,and a third drive axle drive chain sprocket 75 is rigidly connected to aleft-side section of the third drive axle 70 c. A resistance motor drivechain sprocket 76 is rigidly connected to the right end of theresistance motor axle 64, and the resistance motor drive chain sprocket76, third drive axle drive chain sprocket 75, and second drive axledrive chain sprocket 74 are in alignment and operatively connected by adrive chain 73.

When a user U operates a climbing exercise machine 1 incorporating amultiple gear linkage assembly as illustrated in FIG. 26 by urginghandles 18 and foot pedals 21 into reciprocating linear motion, theentire linkage assembly and the resistance motor 47 concurrently movesuch that the left handle gear rack 61 a and the left foot pedal gearrack 60 a move against opposite sides of the left gear rack drive gear63 a and cause the left gear rack drive gear 63 a to rotate, and theright handle gear rack 61 b and the right foot pedal gear rack 60 b moveagainst opposite sides of the right gear rack drive gear 63 b and causethe right gear rack drive gear 63 b to rotate. The rotation of the leftgear rack drive gear 63 a rotates the first drive axle 70 a and thefirst drive axle gear 72 a, and the rotation of the right gear rackdrive gear 63 b rotates the third drive axle 70 c and the third driveaxle drive chain sprocket 73. The rotation of the first drive axle drivegear 72 a rotates the second drive axle drive gear 72 b, the seconddrive axle 70 b, and the second drive axle drive chain sprocket 74. Thedrive chain 73 is looped about the second drive axle drive chainsprocket 74, the third drive axle drive chain sprocket 75, and theresistance motor drive chain sprocket 76 to form a closed-loopconnection of the second drive axle drive chain sprocket 74, the thirddrive axle drive chain sprocket 75, and the resistance motor drive chainsprocket 76 such that the rotation of the second drive axle drive chainsprocket 74 and the third drive axle drive chain sprocket 75 causesmovement of the drive chain 73 and rotation of the resistance motordrive chain sprocket 76 and the resistance motor axle 64, which in turnactivates the resistance motor 47 during operation of the machine 1.

As a result of the interconnection of the handles 18 and foot pedals 21created by the multiple gear linkage assembly illustrated in FIG. 26, aconcurrent pattern of reciprocating motion of the handles 18 and footpedals 21 is created, such that (1) when left handle 18 a moves upward,left foot pedal 21 a moves downward (and vice versa); (2) when righthandle 18 b moves upward, right foot pedal 21 b moves downward (and viceversa); (3) when left handle 18 a moves upward, right handle 18 b movesdownward (and vice versa); and (4) when left foot pedal 21 a movesupward, right foot pedal 21 b moves downward (and vice versa).

As illustrated in FIG. 28, to operate the machine 1 of the illustratedembodiment of the invention, a user U may enter or mount the machine bystepping onto left foot pedal 21 a with their left foot, stepping ontoright foot pedal 21 b with their right foot, grasping left handle 18 awith their left hand, and grasping right handle 18 b with their righthand. If the left foot pedal 21 a and the left handle 18 a arerelatively proximate to each other, as illustrated in FIG. 28, then theright foot pedal 21 b and the right handle 18 b are relatively distantfrom each other, and vice versa. To begin exercising, user U may pushdownward with their left foot and push upward with their left hand,causing left foot pedal 21 a to move downward and left handle 18 b tomove upward, and concurrently pull their right foot upward and pulltheir right hand downward, causing right foot pedal 21 b to move upwardand right handle 18 b to move downward. This motion concurrentlyactivates and moves the interconnected left and right gear racks 60 a,b,61 a,b, drive axles 70 a,b,c, and resistance motor 47. The reversemotion of the user's feet and hands would cause a reverse motion of thehandles 18 a,b and foot pedals 21 a,b and the interconnected left andright gear racks 60 a,b, 61 a,b, drive axles 70 a,b,c, and resistancemotor 47. The user U can perform any desired number of repetitions,adjust the resistance to the exercise motion as previously describedherein, and control the distance of movement of left foot pedal 21 a,left handle 18 a, right foot pedal 21 b, and right handle 18 b for eachrepetition.

FIGS. 29-36 illustrate an embodiment of the invention comprising threeuprights and a multiple flexible component assembly. The resistancemotor 47 is also rotated by two of the multiple flexible components in a“capstan” configuration; more specifically, as illustrated in isolatedcloseup view in FIG. 35, central portions of belts 17 a and 17 b arewrapped multiple times, in opposite directions, about the surface of theresistance motor axle pulley 65. The resistance motor axle pulley 65 isrigidly attached to the resistance motor axle 64 such that theconcurrent reciprocating motion of belts 17 a and 17 b on the resistancemotor axle pulley 65 rotates the resistance motor axle 64 to activatethe resistance motor 47 during operation of the machine 1.

FIGS. 29, 30, 33, and 36 illustrate views of the climbing exercisemachine 1 of an embodiment of the invention utilizing the multipleflexible component assembly, wherein the lower end of a mostly verticallower upright 11 is rigidly attached to a central portion of a base 13at an obtuse angle; while the figures illustrate the base 13 as being U-or horseshoe-shaped, it is to be expressly understood that the base 13can be configured in any of various shapes capable of supportinguprights 11, a user U, and the other components of the machine 1, andsuch variations are within the scope of the invention. The upper end ofthe lower upright 11 is rigidly connected to a central section of thecrossbar 12. The left end of the crossbar 12 is rigidly connected to thelower end of an upper left upright 11, and the lower upright 11 andupper left upright 11 are in parallel planes on opposite sides of thecross bar 12. The right end of the crossbar 12 is rigidly connected tothe lower end of an upper right upright 11, and the lower upright 11 andupper right upright 11 are in parallel planes on opposite sides of thecrossbar 12. The uprights 11, the crossbar 12, and the base 13 areconstructed of a rigid material capable of supporting the components andfunctions of the machine 1 and the user U; any of various metals,steels, and alloys may be commonly employed, but other materials arecontemplated and are within the scope of the invention. Left and rightupper uprights 11 each house a stationary rail 14, and lower upright 11houses two back-to-back stationary left and right rails 14; each rail 14supports at least one slide 20 such that each slide 20 can slide on arail 14 to create a linear reciprocating motion along uprights 11.Slides 20 can be constructed with various components, such as wheels,linear motion bearings, or other linear motion components, for engagingwith and moving on rails 14. Upper left linear slide 20 is rigidlyconnected to a handle adjustment plate 19 that in turn is operativelyconnected to a left handle 18 a, and upper right linear slide 20 isrigidly connected to a handle adjustment plate 19 that in turn isoperatively connected to a right handle 18 b. The two back-to-back leftand right rails housed within lower upright 11 are mounted in a centrallocation within lower upright 11 such that a left slide 20 is rigidlyconnected to a foot pedal support axle 78 that in turn is operativelyconnected to a left foot pedal 21 a and lower right slide 20 is rigidlyconnected to a foot pedal support axle 78 that in turn is operativelyconnected to a right foot pedal 21 b; the left foot pedal 21 a and theright foot pedal 21 b extend laterally outward from the lower upright 11on opposing sides of the lower upright 11.

Pulleys 36 are mounted within the upper ends of left and right upperuprights 11. Two pulleys 36 are also mounted within lower and uppersections, respectively, of each end of the crossbar 12, with the upperpulley 36 being disposed inward of the first pulley 36. Another pulley36 is mounted in a central section of the lower end of lower upright 11.A resistance motor 47 comprising a resistance motor axle 64 and aresistance motor axle pulley 65 is mounted partially within the crossbar12 and partially within the lower upright 11 at the junction of thecrossbar 12 and the lower upright 11, such that portions of theresistance motor 47 may extend into the crossbar 12 and the lowerupright 11.

FIGS. 29-33 and 36 illustrate various views of the left handle 18 a andthe right handle 18 b of embodiments of the invention. Each handle 18 isadjustably mounted on a handle adjustment plate 19. FIG. 31 illustratesa closeup view of a handle adjustment plate 19 and a handle 18, whereinthe handle 18 is rigidly connected to a handle adjustment latching pin77 and the handle adjustment plate 19 is configured with multiple handleadjustment latching pin receivers 55. To optimize operation of theclimbing exercise machine 1 for each individual user U, the location ofthe handle 18 on the handle adjustment plate 19 can be adjusted prior tooperating the machine 1 by disengaging the adjustment latching pin 77from a first handle adjustment latching pin receiver 55, moving handle18 to another location on the handle adjustment plate 19, and engagingthe handle adjustment latching pin 77 with a second adjustment latchingpin receiver 55. The handle adjustment mechanism illustrated in FIG. 31may thus function in the same way as the handle adjustment mechanismpreviously described herein and illustrated in FIGS. 20A and 20B.

FIGS. 29, 30, 33, 34, and 36 illustrate various views of a left footpedal 21 a and a right foot pedal 21 b of embodiments of the inventionwhich are each operatively mounted on a foot pedal support axle 78. FIG.34 illustrates a closeup view of a foot pedal 21, an adjustable strap25, a foot pedal support axle 78, and a foot pedal latch 50. The footpedal latch 50 is a spring-loaded latch that is operatively mounted tothe end of the foot pedal support axle 78 that is distant from the lowerupright 11. The foot pedal latch 50 generally functions in the same wayas the foot pedal latch 50 previously described herein and illustratedin FIGS. 19A and 19B.

FIGS. 29-35 illustrate various views of the belt patterns of themultiple flexible component linkage assembly of the three uprights 11 ofembodiments of the invention. In this configuration, the first end ofbelt 17 a is connected to an inside section of the left handleadjustment plate 19 with a belt connector 15, whereby the first end ofbelt 17 a is operatively connected to the left handle 18 a, extendsupward within the right side of left upper upright 11 to the upper endof left upper upright 11, wraps over a pulley 36, extends downwardwithin the left side of left upper upright 11 to the lower left sectionof the crossbar 12, wraps underneath a pulley 36, extends within thelower side of the crossbar 12 and midway through crossbar 12, wraps overthe top of the resistance motor axle pulley 65, wraps multiple timesabout the resistance motor axle pulley 65, extends downward within lowerupright 11 to the left side of lower upright 11, and connects to a slide20 such that the second end of belt 17 a is operatively connected to theleft foot pedal axle 78 and left foot pedal 21 a. Belt 17 b isoperatively connected to right handle 18 b and right foot pedal 21 b inan identical configuration, mutatis mutandis. Therefore, belt 17 a andbelt 17 b are interconnected such that a middle section of each beltwraps multiple times about the resistance motor axle pulley 65, but inopposite directions. A first end of belt 17 c is connected to a slide 20within the left side of lower upright 11 with a belt connector 15,whereby the first end of belt 17 c is operatively connected to the leftfoot pedal support axle 78 and the left foot pedal 21 a and belt 17 cextends downward within the left side of lower upright 11 to the lowerend of lower upright 11, wraps underneath a pulley 36, extends upwardwithin the right side of lower upright 11, and connects to a slide 20within the right side of lower upright 11 such that the second end ofbelt 17 c is operatively connected to the right foot pedal support axle78 and the right foot pedal 21 b. A first end of belt 17 d is connectedto an inside section of the left handle adjustment plate 19 with a beltconnector 15, whereby the first end of belt 17 d is operativelyconnected to left handle 18 a and belt 17 d extends downward within theright side of left upper upright 11 to the upper left section ofcrossbar 12, wraps underneath a pulley 36, extends through the upperside of the crossbar 12 to the upper right section of the crossbar 12,wraps underneath a pulley 36, extends upward within the left side ofright upper upright 11, and connects to the inside section of the righthandle adjustment plate 19 with a belt connector 15 such that the secondend of belt 17 d is operatively connected to the right handle 18 b.

As a result of the interconnection of the handles 18 and foot pedals 21created by the multiple flexible component linkage assembly illustratedin FIGS. 29-35, a concurrent pattern of reciprocating motion of thehandles 18 and foot pedals 21 is created, such that (1) when left handle18 a moves upward, left foot pedal 21 a moves downward (and vice versa);(2) when right handle 18 b moves upward, right foot pedal 21 b movesdownward (and vice versa); (3) when left handle 18 a moves upward, righthandle 18 b moves downward (and vice versa); and (4) when left footpedal 21 a moves upward, right foot pedal 21 b moves downward (and viceversa). This pattern causes the reciprocating motion of belts 17 a and17 b, which are each wrapped multiple times about the resistance motoraxle pulley 65, to rotate the resistance motor axle pulley 65 and thusthe resistance motor axle 64, which activates the resistance motor 47during operation of the climbing exercise machine 1.

FIGS. 29-32 and 34-36 illustrate various views of the crossbar 12, andthe various components and features mounted on and within the crossbar12, in embodiments of the invention. As previously described, pulleys 36are mounted on each upper side end of the crossbar 12 to guide belt 17 dthrough the crossbar 12 and on each lower side end of the crossbar 12 toguide belts 17 a,b partly through the crossbar 12, and a resistancemotor 47 is at least partially mounted within crossbar 12. A resistanceadjustment dial 59 is mounted on a central portion of the crossbar 12,in a location easily accessible by the user U during operation of themachine 1, and is operatively connected to the resistance motor 47 suchthat the user U can move and adjust the resistance adjustment dial 59 toa preferred setting to manipulate the amount of resistance to theexercise motion of the machine 1 created by the resistance motor 47.

A tablet computer 40 is mounted on the crossbar 12, in a location easilyaccessible by a user U, such that the user U can operate the tabletcomputer 40 while operating the machine 1. Tablet computer 40 includes aviewing screen that allows a user U to perceive digital content whileoperating the machine 1. Tablet computer 40 can also collect and displaydata pertaining to the user U's performance while operating the machine1. At least a portion of the performance data corresponding to user U'suse of the machine 1 can be captured by sensors located on variouscomponents of the machine 1, such as one or more movable electronicsensors 53 and one or more stationary electronic sensors 54. As bestillustrated in FIGS. 31 and 32, a movable electronic sensor 53 ismounted on a forward section of a handle adjustment plate 19 and astationary electronic sensor 54 is mounted on an adjacent section of anupright 11, such that when handle adjustment plate 19 moves in areciprocating linear pattern along upright 11, the movable electronicsensor 53 passes in close proximity to stationary electronic sensor 54,and either or both of the movable electronic sensor 53 and thestationary electronic sensor 54 collects data and transfers these datato tablet computer 40. Tablet computer 40 can also collect and displaydata from the resistance motor 47 and other electronic devices andcomponents that interact with machine 1. Although FIGS. 31 and 32 depicta single movable electronic sensor 53 and a single stationary electronicsensor 54, it is to be expressly understood that the climbing exercisemachine 1 may include any number of movable electronic sensors 53 and/orstationary electronic sensors 54, within the scope of the presentinvention.

Tablet computer 40 is connected to the crossbar 12 via a mountingbracket 42 and is supported by an adjustable arm 39. The adjustable arm39 can telescope within the mounting bracket 42 to adjust the height ofthe tablet computer 40, and can rotate within the mounting bracket 42 toadjust the angle of the tablet computer 40 in a horizontal planerelative to the user U. An adjustable arm movement lever 58 can be usedto manipulate the position of the adjustable arm 39 and the tabletcomputer 40. Tablet computer 40 is connected to the adjustable arm 39via a tablet pivot rod 56, such that the tablet computer 40 can beadjusted to various vertical angles. Tablet computer 40 can also berotated up to 180 degrees in a horizontal plane to face in a rearwarddirection, such that a user U can perceive digital content from thetablet computer 40 while being behind the machine 1; this feature may beuseful for user U to interact with the tablet computer 40 while notoperating the machine 1 but performing other exercises.

As illustrated in FIG. 36, to operate the machine 1 of the illustratedembodiment of the invention, a user U may enter or mount the machine bystepping onto left foot pedal 21 a with their left foot, stepping ontoright foot pedal 21 b with their right foot, grasping left handle 18 awith their left hand, and grasping right handle 18 b with their righthand. If the left foot pedal 21 a and the left handle 18 a arerelatively proximate to each other, as illustrated in FIG. 28, then theright foot pedal 21 b and the right handle 18 b are relatively distantfrom each other, and vice versa. To begin exercising, user U may pushdownward with their left foot and push upward with their left hand,causing left foot pedal 21 a to move downward and left handle 18 b tomove upward, and concurrently pull their right foot upward and pulltheir right hand downward, causing right foot pedal 21 b to move upwardand right handle 18 b to move downward. This motion concurrentlyactivates and moves the interconnected belts 17 a,b,c,d and theresistance motor 47. The reverse motion of the user's feet and handswould cause a reverse motion of the handles 18 a,b and foot pedals 21a,b and the interconnected belts 17 a,b,c,d and the resistance motor 47.The user U can perform any desired number of repetitions, adjust theresistance to the exercise motion as previously described herein, andcontrol the distance of movement of left foot pedal 21 a, left handle 18a, right foot pedal 21 b, and right handle 18 b for each repetition.

Referring now to FIGS. 37 through 49C, a climbing exercise machine 300is illustrated that simulates a continuous vertical climbing motion fora user U. The machine includes a first upright 310A and a second upright310B, rigidly mounted parallel to each other, at an angle of betweenabout 45° and about 90° relative to a floor or ground surface, onopposing lateral sides of a base frame 313. A cross connector housing312 connects a middle, central, or intermediate portion of upright 310Ato a middle, central, or intermediate portion of upright 310B such thatthe uprights 310A, 310B and the cross connector housing 312 generallyform an “H” shape. A first linear motion carriage 320A and a secondlinear motion carriage 320B are engaged with upright 310A forindependent reciprocating linear motion within upright 310A; firstlinear motion carriage 320A is vertically spaced above second linearmotion carriage 320B. A third linear motion carriage 320C and a fourthlinear motion carriage 320D are engaged with upright 310B forindependent reciprocating linear motion within upright 310B; thirdlinear motion carriage 320C is vertically spaced above fourth linearmotion carriage 320D. A first handle 318A is operatively connected tolinear motion carriage 320A and a first foot pedal 321A is operativelyconnected to linear motion carriage 320B. A second handle 318B isoperatively connected to linear motion carriage 320C and a second footpedal 321B is operatively connected to linear motion carriage 320D.Handle 318A and foot pedal 321A extend away from upright 310A towardsupright 310B and handle 318B and foot pedal 321A extend away fromupright 310B and towards upright 310A. A first linkage assembly 350Ainterconnects the linear motion carriages 320A and 320B such that thehandle 318A and the foot pedal 321A cooperate and move concurrently inopposite directions relative to each other along upright 310A. A secondlinkage assembly 350B interconnects the linear motion carriages 320C and320D such that the handle 318B and the foot pedal 321B cooperate andmove concurrently in opposite directions relative to each other alongupright 310B. A cross connector axle 370 having a first end and a secondend is mounted on the cross connector housing 312 in parallel with crossconnector housing 312. The first end of the cross connector axle 370 isoperatively connected with linkage assembly 350A and the second end ofthe cross connector axle 370 is operatively connected with the linkageassembly 350B such that linear motion carriages 320A, 320B, 320C, 320Dare interconnected and synchronized to move concurrently. A flywheelresistance assembly 349 is operatively connected with the crossconnector axle 370 at a middle, central, or intermediate portion of thecross connector axle 370 to create resistance to the motion of thelinear motion carriages 320A,320B,320C,320D. Climbing exercise machine300 may also include an electronic user interface display 340 that ismounted on cross connector housing 312.

FIG. 37 illustrates a climbing exercise machine 300 comprising a baseframe 313. While base frame 313 is represented in FIG. 37 as having a“horseshoe” or “U” shape and being made of a tubular material having agenerally ovular cross section, it is to be expressly understood thatbase frame 313 can be constructed in any of various shapes and from anyof various materials capable of securely supporting user U and thevarious components of the climbing exercise machine 300 during operatingof the climbing exercise machine 300. Any of various metals, steels, andalloys may be commonly employed to construct base frame 313, but othermaterials are contemplated and are within the scope of the invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 37, uprights 310A and 310B each have a first endand a second end and are rigidly mounted at their first ends onto baseframe 313 at an obtuse angle, but it is to be expressly understood thatuprights 310A and 310B can be rigidly mounted on base frame 313 at anacute angle, or perpendicular, to base frame 313 and such embodimentsare within the scope of the present invention. Uprights 310A and 310Bhouse various functional components that are further described in detailherein.

A handle 318A is operatively engaged with upright 310A so as to movealong the portion of upright 310A that is nearer to the second end of310A in a linear reciprocating motion. A foot pedal 321A is operativelyengaged with upright 310A so as to move along the portion of upright310A that is nearer to the first end of 310A in a linear reciprocatingmotion. A handle 318B is operatively engaged with upright 310B so as tomove along the portion of upright 310B that is nearer to the second endof 310A in a linear reciprocating motion. A foot pedal 321B isoperatively engaged with upright 310B so as to move along the portion ofupright 310B that is nearer to the first end of 310B in a linearreciprocating motion.

A cross connector housing 312 has a first end and a second end; thefirst end is rigidly connected to upright 310A at a perpendicular angleat a middle, central, or intermediate portion of upright 310A and thesecond end of cross connector housing 312 is rigidly connected toupright 310B at a perpendicular angle at a middle, central, orintermediate portion of upright 310B such that uprights 310A and 310Bcombined with cross connector housing 312 generally form an “H” shape. Astationary handle 305A is rigidly connected to cross connector housing312 proximal to the first end of cross connector housing 312 and extendsrearward from cross connector housing 312 such that portions of handlegrip 305A are substantially parallel with base frame 313. A stationaryhandle 305B is rigidly connected to cross connector housing 312 proximalto the second end of cross connector housing 312 and extends rearward offrom cross connector housing 312 such that portions of stationary handle305B are substantially parallel with base frame 313. A resistanceadjustment dial 359 is operatively mounted on cross connector housing312 at a location within comfortable reach of user U during operation ofmachine 300. An electronic user interface display 340 is mounted oncross connector housing 312 at a location within comfortable reach ofuser U and at a location within viewing distance by user U duringoperation of machine 300.

FIG. 38 illustrates a cross section of an upright 310 and a crosssection of a linear motion carriage 320 that is housed within upright310, wherein the structural profile of upright 310 includes anintegrated track that captures and guides linear motion carriage 320.Upright 310 is represented as being constructed from an extruded tube,wherein upright 310 is formed with interior walls 309 that createmultiple chambers that run the length of upright 310. These chamberscreated by the interior walls 309 provide multiple rolling surfaces forlinear motion carriage wheels 322. Any of various metals, steels, andalloys may be commonly employed to construct the upright 310, but othermaterials are contemplated and are within the scope of the invention.

FIGS. 38 and 39 illustrate a linear motion carriage 320, which in thisembodiment is constructed from an elongated bar with a four-sided,mostly rectangular profile. A series of linear motion carriage wheels322 are fastened to three of the four sides of linear motion carriage320 in an offset pattern such that each of the linear motion carriagewheels 322 concurrently contacts and rolls on an interior wall 309 ofupright 310 to stabilize and move linear motion carriage 320 withminimal friction. The fourth side of the linear motion carriage 320receives a user engagement assembly such as a foot pedal assembly 311 ora handle assembly 308, each of which is further described in detailherein. Any of various metals, steels, and alloys may be commonlyemployed to construct the linear motion carriage 320, but othermaterials are contemplated and are within the scope of the invention.

FIGS. 40 and 41 illustrate views of the components housed within upright310A and 310B that create the synchronized motions that transport handleassemblies 308 and foot pedal assemblies 311. The structure of uprights310A and 310B have been removed from these views to best illustratethese components. These components include a first linear motioncarriage 320A, a second linear motion carriage 320B, a third linearmotion carriage 320C, a fourth linear motion carriage 320D, a firstlinkage assembly 350A, and a second linkage assembly 350B. Linkageassembly 350A interconnects and synchronizes the motion of linear motioncarriages 320A,320B. Linkage assembly 350B interconnects andsynchronizes the motion of linear motion carriages 320C,320D.

As illustrated in FIGS. 40 and 41, linkage assembly 350A comprises afirst linkage belt 317A, which forms a continuous loop supported on thesecond end of upright 310A by a first guide pulley mounting bracket 335Aand a first guide pulley 336A and supported on a middle, central, orintermediate section of upright 310A with a first cross connector axledrive pulley 337A, such that linkage belt 317A rotates on guide pulley336A and cross connector axle drive pulley 337A. Linear motion carriage320A is positioned for reciprocating movement within the loop formed bylinkage belt 317A along the upper section of upright 310A. A first beltconnector 315A rigidly connects a rearward section of linkage belt 317Ato linear motion carriage 320A such that linkage belt 317A and linearmotion carriage 320A move concurrently during operation of machine 300.Linear motion carriage 320B is positioned to move along the lowersection of upright 310A. A first connector bar 360A has a first end anda second end; the first end is rigidly connected to a forward section oflinkage belt 317A by a first connector bar bracket 316A and the secondend of connector bar 360A is rigidly connected to the forward side oflinear motion carriage 320B by a second connector bar bracket 316B suchthat linear motion carriage 320A, linear motion carriage 320B, guidepulley 336A, cross connector axle drive pulley 337A, linkage belt 317A,and connector bar 360A move concurrently during operation of machine300. This concurrent motion of linkage assembly 350A causes handle 318Aand foot pedal 321A to move in opposite directions, such that upwardmotion of the rearward section of linkage belt 317A causes linear motioncarriage 320A and handle 318A to move upward, which concurrently causesthe forward section of linkage belt 317A to move downward, which in turncauses connector bar 360A, linear motion carriage 320B, and foot pedal321A to move downward. The opposite motion of linkage assembly 350Awould cause the opposite motion of all of the components of linkageassembly 350A, handle 318A, and foot pedal 321A as described.

As illustrated in FIGS. 40 and 41, linkage assembly 350B comprises asecond linkage belt 317B, which forms a continuous loop supported on thesecond end of upright 310B by a second guide pulley mounting bracket335B and a second guide pulley 336B and supported on a middle, central,or intermediate section of upright 310B with a second cross connectoraxle drive pulley 337B, such that linkage belt 317B rotates on guidepulley 336B and cross connector axle drive pulley 337B. Linear motioncarriage 320C is positioned for reciprocating movement within the loopformed by linkage belt 317B along the upper section of upright 310B. Asecond belt connector 315B rigidly connects a forward section of linkagebelt 317B to linear motion carriage 320C such that linkage belt 317B andlinear motion carriage 320C move concurrently during operation ofmachine 300. Linear motion carriage 320D is positioned to move along thelower section of upright 310B. A second connector bar 360B has a firstend and a second end; the first end is rigidly connected to a rearwardsection of linkage belt 317B by a third connector bar bracket 316C andthe second end of connector bar 360B is rigidly connected to therearward side of linear motion carriage 320D by a fourth connector barbracket 316D such that linear motion carriage 320C, linear motioncarriage 320D, guide pulley 336B, cross connector axle drive pulley337B, linkage belt 317B, and connector bar 360B move concurrently duringoperation of machine 300. This concurrent motion of linkage assembly350B causes handle 318B and foot pedal 321B to move in oppositedirections, such that downward motion of the forward section of linkagebelt 317B causes linear motion carriage 320C and handle 318B to movedownward, which concurrently causes the rearward section of linkage belt317B to move upward, which in turn causes connector bar 360B, linearmotion carriage 320D, and foot pedal 321B to move upward. The oppositemotion of linkage assembly 350B would cause the opposite motion of allof the components of linkage assembly 350B, handle 318B, and foot pedal321B as described.

FIGS. 42-44 illustrate the components housed within the cross connectorhousing and the cooperation of those components with linkage assemblies350A and 350B. To clearly illustrate certain components in these views,some components may be removed or represented with a transparent view. Across connector axle 370 has a first end and a second end and is mountedon mounting blocks 369A and 369B by two cross connector axle bearings371. The first end of cross connector axle 370 extends through mountingblock 369A and is rigidly connected to cross connector axle drive pulley337A, and the second end of cross connector axle 370 extends throughmounting block 369B and is rigidly connected to cross connector axledrive pulley 337B, such that cross connector axle 370, cross connectoraxle drive pulley 337A, cross connector axle drive pulley 337B, linkageassembly 350A, linkage assembly 350B, handles 318A, 318B, and footpedals 321A,321B are synchronized and move concurrently during operationof machine 300.

A flywheel resistance assembly 349 is mounted on flywheel resistanceassembly support frame 343 and is operatively connected to crossconnector axle 370 at a middle, central, or intermediate portion ofcross connector axle 370. Brace tubes 368 rigidly connect flywheelresistance assembly support frame 343 to mounting blocks 369A and 369B.

As illustrated in FIGS. 42-44, a drive pulley axle 374 has a first endand a second end and is mounted within flywheel resistance assemblysupport frame 343 forward of and parallel to cross connector axle 370. Aflywheel axle 364 has a first end and a second end and is mounted withinflywheel resistance assembly support frame 343 forward of and parallelto drive pulley axle 374. A resistance magnets housing pivot axle 348has a first end and a second end and is mounted on flywheel resistanceassembly support frame 343 forward of, above, and parallel to flywheelaxle 364.

A first flywheel drive pulley 372A is rigidly mounted on a middle,central, or intermediate section of cross connector axle 370. A secondflywheel drive pulley 372B, having a diameter the same as or similar tothe diameter of drive pulley 372A, is rigidly mounted on drive pulleyaxle 374 proximal to the first end of drive pulley axle 374, and a thirddrive pulley axle 372C, having a larger diameter than drive pulley 372B,is rigidly mounted proximal to the first end of drive axle 374. Drivepulleys 372B and 372C are parallel and in close proximity to each other,with drive pulley 372C nearer to the first end of drive axle 374 thandrive pulley 372B. A flywheel axle pulley 365 is rigidly mounted on thefirst end of flywheel axle 364. At least one flywheel 347 is rigidlymounted on a middle, central, or intermediate section of flywheel axle364. While FIGS. 42-44 depict a flywheel resistance assembly 349 havingthree flywheels 347, it is to be expressly understood that the flywheelresistance assembly may include any number of flywheels 347, includingbut not necessarily limited to one, two, four, or more than fourflywheels 347, and all such embodiments are within the scope of thepresent invention. A resistance magnets housing 345 is pivotallyconnected to a middle, central, or intermediate section of resistancemagnets housing pivot axle 348.

A first flywheel drive belt 373A connects drive pulley 372A with drivepulley 372B. A second flywheel drive belt 373B connects drive pulley372C with flywheel axle pulley 365.

A plurality of disc-shaped resistance magnets 346 are mounted onresistance magnets housing 345 and are offset from and parallel toflywheels 347. A resistance adjustment dial 359 is operatively mountedon cross connector housing 312 and is operatively connected toresistance magnets housing 345 so as to control the pivotal motion ofresistance magnets housing 345 and set the location of resistancemagnets housing 345. Resistance magnets 346 are mounted on resistancemagnets housing 345 such that when resistance magnets housing 345 pivotsabout resistance magnets housing pivot axle 348 in a direction towardsflywheels 347, a portion of the resistance magnets 346 overlap a portionof the flywheels 347, creating a magnetic field that resists therotation of flywheels 347. When resistance adjustment dial 359 is movedto a position which causes resistance magnets 346 to overlap a largerportion of flywheels 347, more resistance is created, and whenresistance adjustment dial 359 is moved to a position which causesresistance magnets 346 to overlap a smaller portion of flywheels 347,less resistance is created.

FIG. 45 illustrates an isolated view of identical sets of left and rightcomponents that form a foot pedal assembly 311. For simplicity ofdisclosure, only a first set of components for a first foot pedalassembly 311 is described, and it is to be expressly understood that asecond set of components for a second foot pedal assembly 311 may beidentical in both structure and function. As illustrated in FIG. 45,first foot pedal support axle connector bracket 379A has a first end anda second end; the first end is rigidly connected to a middle, central,or intermediate section of linear motion carriage 320B. A first footpedal support axle 378A has a first end and a second end; the first endis rigidly connected to the second end of foot pedal support axleconnector bracket 379A and the second end of first foot pedal supportaxle 378A extends perpendicularly away from upright 310A towards upright310B. Foot pedal 321A is a rigid component with a mostly flat surfacethat has a length and width capable of accepting and supporting the feetof the user U. A center section of foot pedal 321A is mountedtransversely onto foot pedal support axle 378A such that foot pedal 321Acan pivot about foot pedal support axle 378A, which allows a user U toflex user U's ankles (in either dorsiflexion or plantar flexion) duringoperation of machine 300 while keeping user U's feet relatively flat onfoot pedal 321A. An adjustable foot strap 325A is operatively connectedto a central section of foot pedal 321A across the width of foot pedal321A such that user U's foot can be secured to foot pedal 321A prior tooperating machine 300.

FIGS. 46A-48B illustrate an isolated view of identical left and rightcomponents that form an adjustable handle assembly 308. For simplicityof disclosure, each component of adjustable handle assembly 308 and itsfunction is described only once, but it is to be expressly understoodthat machine 300 comprises two identical sets of components that createleft and right adjustable handle assemblies 308 that may be identical inboth structure and function. As illustrated in FIGS. 46A-48B, a handleslide plate 319 is slidably engaged with a handle slide plate receiverslot 330 formed within linear motion carriage 320, such that handleslide plate 319 can be linearly adjusted along linear motion carriage320. A plurality of handle slide plate latching pin receiver holes 329are formed into and linearly spaced on linear motion carriage 320 withinhandle slide plate receiver slot 330. A handle slide plate latching pin328 has a first end and a second end and is slidably mounted withinhandle slide plate 319 in a perpendicular orientation relative to linearmotion carriage 320. The first end of handle slide plate latching pin328 is engaged with a handle slide plate latching pin receiver hole 329and the second end of handle slide plate latching pin 328 is pivotallyconnected to a handle slide plate latching lever 326 with a handle slideplate latching lever axle 327. FIG. 46A illustrates handle slide plate319 in a first position on linear motion carriage 320 with handle slideplate latching lever 326 in a latched position, such that handle slideplate latching pin 328 is extended and engaged with a first handle slideplate latching pin receiver hole 329. FIG. 46B illustrates handle slideplate 319 in a second position on linear motion carriage 320 with handleslide plate latching lever 326 in a latched position, such that handleslide plate latching pin 328 is extended and engaged with a secondhandle slide plate latching pin receiver hole 329. FIG. 48B illustrateshandle slide plate latching lever 326 in an unlatched position, suchthat handle slide plate latching pin 328 is contracted and not engagedwith a handle slide plate latching pin receiver hole 328. To adjusthandle slide plate 319 from a first linear position on linear motioncarriage 320 to a second linear position on linear motion carriage 320,user U may pivot handle slide plate latching lever 326 to the unlatchedposition, which contracts handle slide plate latching pin 328 anddisengages handle slide plate latching pin 328 from a first handle slideplate latching pin receiver hole 329. User U may then slide handle slideplate 319 to a second linear position on linear motion carriage 320 andpivot handle slide plate latching lever 326 to the latched position,which extends handle slide plate latching pin 328 and engages handleslide plate latching pin 328 with a second handle slide plate latchingpin receiver hole 329 to secure handle slide plate 319 into a secondlinear position on linear motion carriage 320.

While handle 318 is represented in FIGS. 46A-48B as having an “L” shapeand being made of a tubular material having a generally round (circularor ovular) cross section, it is to be expressly understood that handle318 can be constructed in any of various shapes and from any of variousmaterials. Handle 318 is pivotally connected to handle slide plate 319by a handle pivot axle 332. As illustrated in FIG. 48A, handle 318 canbe configured in a first angular position relative to upright 310,wherein handle 318 is in a perpendicular position relative to handleslide plate 319 and linear motion carriage 320 such that handle 318extends away from upright 310A towards upright 310B. Handle 318 may alsobe pivotally adjusted to a second angular position relative to upright310, wherein handle 318 is parallel to linear motion carriage 320 and inalignment with handle slide plate 319. As illustrated, handle pivotadjustment latching button 331 is movably mounted on the second end ofhandle 318 and operatively connected to a handle pivot latching pin 333located within the first end of handle 318. First and second radiallyspaced handle pivot adjustment latching pin receiver holes 334 areformed into handle slide plate 319 proximal to handle pivot axle 332.Handle pivot adjustment latching button 331 is a spring-loaded componentthat is kept in an extended position by the spring when not engaged byuser U. When handle pivot adjustment latching button 331 is in theextended position, handle pivot latching pin 333 is also in the extendedposition and engaged with a handle pivot adjustment latching pinreceiver hole 334. To adjust handle 318 from a first angular position toa second angular position on handle slide plate 319, user U may presshandle pivot adjustment latching button 331 into a contracted position,which contracts handle pivot latching pin 333 so as to disengage handlepivot latching pin 333 from a first handle pivot adjustment latching pinreceiver hole 334. User U may then rotate handle 318 and then releasehandle pivot adjustment latching button 331, which causes handle pivotadjustment latching button 331 to extend and in turn causes handle pivotlatching pin 333 to extend and engage with a second handle pivotadjustment latching pin receiver hole 334 to secure handle 318 into asecond angular position on handle slide plate 319. Although handle 318is shown and described as being adjustable to two unique angularpositions on handle slide plate 319, the same or similar components andmethods as described may be used to adjust handle 318 to any number ofunique angular positions, e.g. three angular positions, four angularpositions, or more than four angular positions, on handle slide plate319, and such embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.

FIGS. 49A-C illustrate the components that mount electronic userinterface display 340 onto cross connector housing 312. FIGS. 49A-C alsoillustrate a user U operating machine 300 in various exercise positions.

As illustrated in FIGS. 49A-C, the lower ends of an electronic userinterface display support tube 341 are rigidly connected to a forwardcentral portion of cross connector housing 312, a portion of anelectronic user interface display mounting bracket 342 is pivotallymounted on an upper central section of electronic user interface displaymounting tube 341, and another portion of electronic user interfacedisplay mounting bracket 342 is rigidly connected to a central portionof electronic user interface display 340, such that electronic userinterface display mounting bracket 342 couples electronic user interfacedisplay mounting tube 341 with electronic user interface display 340.The pivotal connection of electronic user interface display bracket 342with electronic user interface display tube 341 allows user U topivotally adjust electronic user interface display 340 about electronicuser interface display support tube 341 to create a preferred viewingangle of electronic user interface display 340 for user U.Alternatively, electronic user interface display 340 can be mounted oncross connector housing 312 or other portions of machine 300 by variousother methods and components to support electronic user interfacedisplay 340 and create an adjustable support for electronic userinterface display 340 that allows user U to adjust electronic userinterface display 340 to a preferred viewing angle; such alternativesare within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 49A illustrates a user U operating machine 300 in a first positionwherein user U's left hand is engaged with handle 318A and user U's leftfoot is engaged with foot pedal 321A such that user U's left arm andleft leg are mostly contracted and more proximal to each other, and userU's right hand is engaged with handle 318B and user U's right foot isengaged with foot pedal 321B such that user U's right arm and right legare mostly extended and more distal to each other. FIG. 49B illustratesa user U operating machine 300 in a second position wherein user U'sleft hand is engaged with handle 318A and user U's left foot is engagedwith foot pedal 321A such that user U's left arm and left leg are mostlyextended and more distal to each other, and user U's right hand isengaged with handle 318B and user U's right foot is engaged with footpedal 321B such that user U's right arm and right leg are mostlycontracted and more proximal to each other. As illustrated in FIGS. 49Aand 49B, when user U moves from a first exercise position to a secondexercise position on machine 300, user U's left hand and handle 318Amove in the opposite direction of user U's left foot and foot pedal321A, and user U's right hand and handle 318B move in the oppositedirection of user U's right foot and foot pedal 321B. Furthermore, whenUser U moves from a first exercise position to a second exerciseposition on machine 300, user U's left hand and handle 318A move in theopposite direction of user U's right hand and handle 318B, and user U'sleft foot and left foot pedal 321A move in the opposite direction ofuser U's right foot and right foot pedal 321B while performing aresisted, concurrent climbing exercise motion using both arms and legs.

FIG. 49C illustrates a user U operating machine 300 in a third exerciseposition, wherein user U's left hand is gripping stationary hand grip305A and user U's right hand is gripping stationary hand grip 305B so asto stabilize and secure user U on machine 300 while user U's left footis engaged with foot pedal 321A in a higher position along upright 310Aand user U's right foot is engaged with foot pedal 321B in a lowerposition along upright 310B, such that user U's left foot and right footmove in reciprocating opposite directions while performing a legs-onlyclimbing exercise motion.

To operate machine 300, user U may enter machine 300 by stepping ontofoot pedal 321A with user U's left foot, stepping onto foot pedal 321Bwith user U's right foot, gripping handle 318A with user U's left hand,and gripping handle 318B with user U's right hand. User U can thenadjust the resistance to the exercise motion by moving resistanceadjustment dial 359 to a preferred setting, causing resistance magnets346 to engage flywheels 347 as previously described. If user U urgeshandle 318A upward, user U will necessarily concurrently urge foot pedal321A downward, handle 318B downward, and foot pedal 321B upward.

When user U begins the exercise motion in a first direction asdescribed, all of the various moving components of the machine 300,including handle assemblies 308, foot pedal assemblies 311, linearmotion carriages 320A, 320B, 320C, 320D, linkage assemblies 350A, 350B,cross connector axle 370, and flywheel resistance assembly 349, moveconcurrently in a synchronized fashion. Upward motion of handle 318A andlinear motion carriage 320A causes belt 317A to rotate in a firstdirection on guide pulley 336A and cross connector axle drive pulley337A, in turn causing the rearward side of linkage belt 317A to moveupward, in turn causing the forward side of linkage belt 317A to movedownward, in turn causing connector bar 360A to move downward, in turncausing linear motion carriage 320B and foot pedal 321A to movedownward. Concurrently, downward motion of handle 318B and linear motioncarriage 320C causes belt 317B to rotate in a first direction on guidepulley 336B and cross connector axle drive pulley 337B, in turn causingthe forward side of linkage belt 317B to move downward, in turn causingthe rearward side of linkage belt 317B to move upward, in turn causingconnector bar 360B to move upward, in turn causing linear motioncarriage 320D and foot pedal 321B to move upward. Concurrently, crossconnector axle drive pulleys 337A and 337B cause cross connector axle370 to rotate in a first direction, in turn causing flywheel drivepulley 372A to rotate in a first direction, in turn causing flywheeldrive belt 373A to rotate in a first direction, in turn causing flywheeldrive pulley 372B to rotate in a first direction, in turn causingflywheel drive pulley axle 374 to rotate in a first direction, in turncausing flywheel drive pulley 374C to rotate in a first direction, inturn causing flywheel drive belt 373B to rotate in a first direction, inturn causing flywheel axle pulley 365 to rotate in a first direction, inturn causing flywheels 347 to rotate in a first direction.

When user U reverses the exercise motion to urge handles 318A and 318Band foot pedals 321A and 321B in the opposite second direction, all ofthe various moving components of the machine 300, including handleassemblies 308, foot pedal assemblies 311, linear motion carriages 320A,320B, 320C, 320D, linkage assemblies 350A, 350B, cross connector axle370, and flywheel resistance assembly 349, move concurrently in asynchronized fashion in the opposite second direction. Downward motionof handle 318A and linear motion carriage 320A causes belt 317A torotate in a second direction on guide pulley 336A and cross connectoraxle drive pulley 337A, in turn causing the rearward side of linkagebelt 317A to move downward, in turn causing the forward side of linkagebelt 317A to move upward, in turn causing connector bar 360A to moveupward, in turn causing linear motion carriage 320B and foot pedal 321Ato move upward. Concurrently, upward motion of handle 318B and linearmotion carriage 320C causes belt 317B to rotate in a second direction onguide pulley 336B and cross connector axle drive pulley 337B, in turncausing the forward side of linkage belt 317B to move upward, in turncausing the rearward side of linkage belt 317B to move downward, in turncausing connector bar 360B to move downward, in turn causing linearmotion carriage 320D and foot pedal 321B to move downward. Concurrently,cross connector axle drive pulleys 337A and 337B cause cross connectoraxle 370 to rotate in a second direction, in turn causing flywheel drivepulley 372A to rotate in a second direction, in turn causing flywheeldrive belt 373A to rotate in a second direction, in turn causingflywheel drive pulley 372B to rotate in a second direction, in turncausing flywheel drive pulley axle 374 to rotate in a second direction,in turn causing flywheel drive pulley 374C to rotate in a seconddirection, in turn causing flywheel drive belt 373B to rotate in asecond direction, in turn causing flywheel axle pulley 365 to rotate ina second direction, in turn causing flywheels 347 to rotate in a seconddirection.

User U can continue this reciprocating first and second directionexercise motion for any preferred amount of time and/or preferred numberof repetitions. User U may also interact with user interface display 340prior to the exercise session, during the exercise session, and/or afterthe exercise session.

It is to be expressly understood that within the scope of the presentinvention, certain components or features of a climbing exercise machine1 as illustrated in FIGS. 15-36 may be provided in addition to, orinstead of, certain components or features of a climbing exercisemachine 300 as illustrated in FIGS. 37-49C. By way of non-limitingexample, a climbing exercise machine 300 as illustrated in FIGS. 37-49Cmay, within the scope of the present invention, include one or moremovable electronic sensors 53 and/or one or more stationary electronicsensors 54 as illustrated in FIGS. 15-36, which may, for example,collect data that are displayed on electronic user interface display340. By way of further non-limiting example, an electronic userinterface display 340 illustrated in FIGS. 37-49C may be a part of atablet computer 40 as illustrated in FIGS. 15-36. Those skilled in theart will, in view of this disclosure, readily appreciate how these andother features and components of the embodiments depicted in variousfigures may be combined and/or substituted.

The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, andconfigurations, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/orapparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, includingvarious aspects, embodiments, configurations, sub-combinations, andsubsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to makeand use the various aspects, aspects, embodiments, and configurations,after understanding the present disclosure. The present disclosure, invarious aspects, embodiments, and configurations, includes providingdevices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/ordescribed herein or in various aspects, embodiments, and configurationshereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used inprevious devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance,achieving ease and\or reducing cost of implementation.

The foregoing discussion of the disclosure has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intendedto limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In theforegoing Detailed Description for example, various features of thedisclosure are grouped together in one or more, aspects, embodiments,and configurations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. Thefeatures of the aspects, embodiments, and configurations of thedisclosure may be combined in alternate aspects, embodiments, andconfigurations other than those discussed above. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed disclosure requires more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspectslie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed aspects,embodiments, and configurations. Thus, the following claims are herebyincorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separate preferred embodiment of the disclosure.

Moreover, though the description of the disclosure has includeddescription of one or more aspects, embodiments, or configurations andcertain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations,and modifications are within the scope of the disclosure, e.g., as maybe within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, afterunderstanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rightswhich include alternative aspects, embodiments, and configurations tothe extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/orequivalent structures, functions, ranges, or steps to those claimed,whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalentstructures, functions, ranges, or steps are disclosed herein, andwithout intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.

1. A climbing exercise machine, comprising: first and second handles;first and second foot pedals; a linkage assembly, comprising: a firsttoothed belt, interconnecting the first handle and the first foot pedal;a second toothed belt, interconnecting the second handle and the secondfoot pedal; an axle, interconnecting the first and second toothed belts;and a sprocket, interfacing with the first and second toothed belts andthe axle to convert linear motion of the first and second toothed beltsinto rotational motion of the axle or vice versa; wherein the linkageassembly enables reciprocating concurrent movement of the first handle,the first foot pedal, the second handle, and the second foot pedal tosimulate a continuous climbing motion for a user.
 2. The climbingexercise machine of claim 1, further comprising a user input device andat least one belt tensioner, wherein a user may adjust or control the atleast one belt tensioner via the user input device to increase ordecrease tension on the first and second toothed belts and therebyincrease or decrease resistance encountered by the user during use ofthe climbing exercise machine.
 3. The climbing exercise machine of claim1, further comprising a user input device and a resistance pump ormotor, wherein the resistance pump or motor is operativelyinterconnected to the axle, wherein a user may adjust or control theresistance pump or motor via the user input device to modify resistanceencountered by the user during use of the climbing exercise machine. 4.The climbing exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising anelectronic device or system enabling the user to perceive digitalcontent while using the climbing exercise machine.
 5. The climbingexercise machine of claim 4, wherein the electronic device or systemcomprises a tablet computer mounted on an adjustable arm.
 6. Theclimbing exercise machine of claim 5, wherein the adjustable arm enablesa user to adjust at least one of an angle of the adjustable arm relativeto a horizontal axis and a height of the tablet computer above the flooror ground surface.
 7. The climbing exercise machine of claim 5, whereinthe electronic device or system further comprises at least one sensor,disposed within or on a surface of the climbing exercise machine andconfigured to transmit data pertaining to a function of the climbingexercise machine to the tablet computer.
 8. The climbing exercisemachine of claim 7, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at leasttwo sensors.
 9. The climbing exercise machine of claim 8, wherein the atleast two sensors measure a parameter of interest to a user according toan algorithm, and wherein the parameter of interest is presented to theuser in a graphical user interface of the tablet computer.
 10. Theclimbing exercise machine of claim 5, wherein the tablet computer isconfigured to allow the user to input data corresponding to the workoutpreferences of the user and display to the user data corresponding toexercise performance and experience of the user.
 11. The climbingexercise machine of claim 1, wherein a horizontal distance between thefirst and second toothed belts is adjustable.
 12. The climbing exercisemachine of claim 1, further comprising a base support frame configuredto contact a ground or floor surface.
 13. The climbing exercise machineof claim 12, wherein an elongate upright housing at least a portion ofone of the first and second toothed belts is rigidly connected to thebase support frame at a first obtuse angle relative to the floor orground surface, wherein the first obtuse angle is adjustable.
 14. Theclimbing exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the linkage assemblyfurther comprises: a first self-lubricating slide, to which the firsthandle is mounted; a second self-lubricating slide, to which the firstfoot pedal is mounted; a third self-lubricating slide, to which thesecond handle is mounted; and a fourth self-lubricating slide, to whichthe second foot pedal is mounted.
 15. The climbing exercise machine ofclaim 14, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth self-lubricatingslides are operatively mounted on rails.
 16. The climbing exercisemachine of claim 1, wherein movement of one of the first and secondhandles or one of the first and second foot pedals causes concurrentmotion of all other of the first and second handles and the first andsecond foot pedals.
 17. The climbing exercise machine of claim 16,wherein the concurrent motion of the first and second handles and thefirst and second foot pedals simulates a contralateral climbing motion.18. The climbing exercise machine of claim 16, wherein the concurrentmotion of the first and second handles and the first and second footpedals simulates an ipsilateral climbing motion.
 19. The climbingexercise machine of claim 1, wherein locations of the first handle andthe first foot pedal relative to each other are adjustable prior tooperation of the climbing exercise machine and locations of the secondhandle and the second foot pedal relative to each other are adjustableprior to operation of the climbing exercise machine.
 20. The climbingexercise machine of claim 1, further comprising wheels or casters thatenable repositioning of the climbing exercise machine on a floor orground surface.